Barry Trotz Steps Down As Nashville Predators General Manager
Barry Trotz is closing yet another door in his career by stepping down as the Nashville Predators’ general manager. Trotz announced his plans to step down as the Predators’ GM in a news conference on Monday, confirming earlier reports that he will remain in place until his successor is found.
The 63-year-old was adamant that the decision wasn’t due to health reasons or because he was pursuing another opportunity in coaching. It was simply to retire from the game and spend his time with his family.
Barry Trotz Looks Ahead To Retirement
In a heartfelt message to the media on Monday, Trotz opened up about his love for hockey and his 1,800 NHL games as a coach.
As he was fighting back the tears in his speech, he said:
“I love the game, I also love my family. Sometimes, you get defined by what you do, not who you are…You get to a point in life [where] you owe time. The great thing about this game is you’re all-in, and you have to be if you’re going to be successful. And it takes a lot of time, and it takes a lot of energy, and it also takes away a lot of things from your personal life, your family, your wife, your children, grandkids, you name it. And for me, it became really clear that they deserve my time.”
Despite being a legendary coach, Trotz’s time is coming to a close in Nashville. He will eventually be replaced by another GM, but until then, he will finish out the season. He went 557-479-100 with 60 ties in 1,196 games as Nashville’s coach and was 19-31 in seven playoff appearances. He lost in the first round five times and in the second round twice. He then went on to coach the Washington Capitals from 2014-2018, winning the Stanley Cup in his final season.
Before returning to Nashville, he coached the New York Islanders from 2018 to 2022, leading them to the playoffs in three of four seasons, including consecutive trips to the third round (2020, 2021).
Trotz ranks fifth in NHL history with 914 wins as a coach. He will one day, in the hopes and dreams, be selected for the Hall of Fame with the coaching career he has had throughout his years in the NHL.
Ahead For the Nashville Predators
A Stanley Cup Championship might not be in the cards this year for Trotz and the Predators, but it will be the task for the next general manager to take care of. The Predators have star power in Steven Stamkos and Jonathan Marchessault.
Nashville has three in-house candidates to consider as well, in assistant general managers Jeff Kealty, Scott Nichol, and Brian Poile. The goal is to win titles. Owner Bill Haslam has a bunch of work ahead for him heading into next season. Haslam would like a GM before the 2026-2027 NHL Draft.
Haslam knew about Trotz’s retirement in December. It has been a rocky season overall in Nashville. The Predators are 26-23-6 in 55 games played this season.
