Barry Trotz has announced his retirement as general manager of the Nashville Predators after three seasons at the helm. The 63-year-old will remain in his role until a successor is named and will continue to serve the team as an adviser. Trotz officially became GM on July 1, 2023, after being hired earlier that year on February 27, replacing long-time executive David Poile.
Trotz Prioritizes Family Over Hockey While Team Prepares For Future Management Decisions
During his tenure, the Predators have experienced mixed results. Currently, Nashville holds a 26-23-6 record, placing them fifth in the Central Division and four points behind the Los Angeles Kings for the second wild card spot in the Western Conference.
Trotz reflected that his decision to retire stems from a desire to spend more time with his family, noting the demands of professional sports often prevent being present for key family moments. With children now married and grandchildren in his life, Trotz cited the importance of prioritizing family and acknowledging the limited time one has, describing the decision as a recognition of mortality and the need for balance.
Barry Trotz (NHL)Predators owner Bill Haslam stated the team aims to name a new general manager before the 2026 NHL Draft on June 26-27, but emphasized there is no rush, allowing the organization to conduct a thorough search. Trotz’s first season as GM saw the team qualify for the playoffs with a 47-30-5 record but lose in six games to the Vancouver Canucks in the Western Conference First Round. Following that season, Nashville signed forwards Steven Stamkos and Jonathan Marchessault to significant multi-year contracts. However, the team struggled in 2024-25, finishing last in the NHL with a 30-44-8 record.
Trotz Reflects on Team Struggles and Legacy While Planning Post-GM Future
This season began poorly with a 6-12-4 start, and Trotz publicly defended coach Andrew Brunette, placing responsibility on the players for low offensive and defensive output. At that point, the Predators were last in goals per game and goals against. Since then, the team has improved to 20-11-2, showing moderate recovery in both scoring and defensive metrics. Trotz emphasized the need for accountability from players, citing individual errors during games that were not the coach’s responsibility.
Trotz is a foundational figure in Predators history, having served as the team’s first-ever coach from 1998-99 through 2013-14. During that time, he amassed 557 wins in 1,196 games and guided the team to seven playoff appearances. He later coached the Washington Capitals, winning the Stanley Cup in 2018, and the New York Islanders, reaching the third round twice in consecutive seasons. With 914 career wins, Trotz ranks fifth in NHL history among coaches.
In his retirement announcement, Trotz clarified that the decision is unrelated to health or a desire to return to coaching. He expressed that when he accepted the GM position, he wanted to contribute meaningfully while maintaining the ability to spend time on other priorities in life. By setting a defined endpoint, Trotz provided clarity for both himself and the organization while continuing to support the team in a developmental capacity as they prepare for future success.
