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Barry Trotz is stepping down from his role as general manager of the Nashville Predators, a position he has held for almost three years. He will, however, remain in his current capacity until the NHL trade deadline on March 6 and continue until a replacement is appointed, actively participating in the selection process.
On Monday, Trotz, aged 63, revealed that he had notified principal owner Bill Haslam in December of his intention to resign upon the conclusion of his contract at the close of the 2026-27 season. This choice is unrelated to any health concerns, and Trotz is anticipated to stay with the club as an adviser for that duration.
“Following a period of deliberation, we opted to initiate the search for my successor immediately. Nevertheless, I am content to continue in my present position until a new individual is brought on board, for whatever period that may entail,” Trotz stated.”
Haslam’s objective is to have a new general manager appointed prior to the draft in late June. He dismissed any notion of a conflict between the team’s ownership and Trotz as the reason behind this arrangement.
“This situation revolves around Barry’s personal life choice, and our collaborative decision,” Haslam commented during a press conference where the change was revealed. “It bears no relation to any disputes with Barry or an indication of the team’s current standing or performance.”
Andrew Brunette, the head coach, informed journalists that he became aware of Trotz’s departure on Monday morning.
“I suppose I was just as astonished as everyone else,” Brunette remarked. “This was not something I anticipated happening today.”
Trotz assumed leadership of hockey operations from the long-serving general manager, David Poile, in the summer of 2023. The Predators qualified for the playoffs in the subsequent season, a period during which Trotz dismissed head coach John Hynes and appointed Brunette as his replacement.
Following an expenditure of $100 million USD during free agency to secure Stanley Cup winners Steven Stamkos and Jonathan Marchessault, along with defenseman Brady Skjei on July 1, 2024, which generated considerable anticipation, the team emerged as one of the NHL’s major letdowns, recording 52 defeats in 82 matches and falling far short of playoff contention.
In Playoff Contention
“Our aspiration is to construct a franchise capable of securing a Stanley Cup, rather than merely reaching the playoffs,” Trotz stated. “This has been my primary objective throughout my tenure here.”
Nashville remains competitive beyond the midpoint of the current season, yet the organization seems to be at a critical juncture 19 months after Haslam took over. Stamkos has an additional two years remaining on his contract after the current one, carrying an $8 million salary cap hit. Skjei has four more years at $7 million, and Marchessault three more at $5.5 million.
These players, along with center Ryan O’Reilly, are all in their thirties and could potentially become trade assets before the deadline or during the off-season.
Trotz’s successor will face significant choices concerning these players and others, as well as Brunette and his coaching team. The foundational group, including star goaltender Juuse Saros, captain Roman Josi, and key forward Filip Forsberg, is under contract for the foreseeable future, offering a solid base that could achieve success relatively quickly with appropriate strategic adjustments.
Trotz’s second tenure with the Predators spanned a considerably shorter period than his initial one, during which he served as coach from the team’s establishment in 1998 until 2014, thereby establishing credibility and prominence for an expansion franchise operating in what was considered a non-traditional hockey region.
He subsequently transitioned to Washington, leading the Capitals to a Stanley Cup victory in 2018, and then spent four seasons as head coach for the New York Islanders prior to his return to Nashville.
“During an era when the feasibility of Sun Belt expansion was widely doubted, Barry, in collaboration with David Poile, forged the Nashville Predators into an exemplary NHL organization,” stated Predators CEO Sean Henry. “In more recent times, Barry has devoted almost three years as our general manager, laboring relentlessly to set the Predators up for numerous prosperous years, making certain the organization possesses all requisite resources to cultivate an enduring victor in the contemporary NHL, while prioritizing the well-being of every athlete within our structure.”
