Ammenheuser: Predators' season was not a failure

The Nashville Predators' season was not a failure.

Period.

Yes, the team struggled at the end of the regular season. Yes, they couldn't score in overtime against the Blackhawks. Yes, there's disappointment on how the season ended.

Get over it.

This team surpassed everyone's expectations.

Remember a year ago? Remember 38-32-12? Remember the sixth-place finish in the Central Division?

This team posted a 47-25-10 mark, improved by 16 points in the standings.

And they did all of this with a coach implementing a new style of play and a team beset by injuries at the most inopportune time.

Could they have won the series with a healthy Shea Weber? Maybe. Maybe not.

Could they have been more consistent if Pekka Rinne had not been injured in the second half? Probably.

Remember, this is a team built for the future. It's best days are ahead of them. The Predators have 15 players age 25 or younger. That includes center Colin Wilson, 25, who shined during the series against Chicago. That includes defenseman Roman Josi, 24, who played spectacularly throughout the season and in the postseason series. And don't forget Filip Forsberg and Seth Jones are just 20.

To call this season a failure is simply wrong.

Let the pain of the playoff loss to the dreaded Blackhawks sting for a few days. It's never good to lose those guys. For many reasons.

Then, it's time to remember what a great season it truly was. Fans should remember how they felt a year ago today. That pain was much different than the pain they own this April.

The expectations should be much higher for the 2015-16 season. A first-round playoff loss to Chicago (or any other team) will not be acceptable.

This year, as much as it may hurt, it is acceptable.

Reach Dave Ammenheuser at 615-259-8532 and on Twitter @NashSportsEd.