Predators coach Andrew Brunette back after 2-game absence

Nashville Predators coach Andrew Brunette rejoined the team Thursday after missing two games for a personal matter.
Brunette, 51, issued a statement saying he will be back behind the bench for Thursday night’s game against the Utah Hockey Club in Salt Lake City.
“I’d like to thank ownership and (general manager) Barry Trotz for allowing me to spend time with my family, and thank our entire coaching staff for their help in guiding our team in my absence,” he said. “My family and I sincerely appreciate the support from everyone in our organization, our players and our fans.”
Brunette said he left the team Saturday to return to his native Ontario after his “father experienced an event that required urgent medical attention.”
In his absence, assistant Todd Richards coached the Predators in two home games: a 2-1 loss Sunday to Montreal and a 7-6 overtime win Tuesday against the New York Islanders.
The Predators (28-42-8, 64 points) will miss the playoffs with the third-worst record in the Western Conference. They have four games left in the regular season, including Thursday’s contest.
Nashville was 47-30-5 during Brunette’s first season as head coach in 2023-24, losing to the Vancouver Canucks in six games in the first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs.