But this is an interesting fact that Trotz will stay on as the current GM to hand everything over to the new person. In addition to being responsible for the trade deadline, he is also part of the search committee to help find his successor.
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The Predators allowed Barry Trotz to go out on his terms because of the respect they have for him, not only as a coach, but as a person. However, change was coming to Nashville whether the people were ready for it or not. As Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman reported, there was a discussion between Trotz and majority owner Bill Haslam in December.
That was also when Nick Saban became a minority owner of the Nashville Predators. But if Friedman noted on 102.5 The Game, ESPN in NashvilleOnce Haslam understood how the hockey world worked, the two sides discussed the future.
One of the things I heard today, after the news came out, was that Bill Haslam started looking around at how the NHL works. How do things happen here? To his credit, he listened a lot.
And I think when Barry Trotz and Bill Haslam talked about the future every time they met last month in December, and talked about that today, I think they both talked about that. Haslam said something like: Okay, this is what I learned about how things work. And again, you heard Trotz talk about his family today.
I think it sounds like it’s a lot about two guys looking to the future. And Barry Trotz said, ‘This is how I think,’ and Bill Haslam said, ‘This is how I think.’ And I think they just said, You know what, the best thing you can do is get started on this.
As Barry Trotz explained at the press conference on Monday, he will stay on until the end of his contract. The Predators need to move in a different direction, and perhaps the owner has a different vision of where he wants to set the standard within the organization. If the goal is to bring a Stanley Cup championship to Nashville, then a different voice is needed.
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Even though Barry Trotz probably saw the writing on the wall, the decision to resign was ultimately his decision given how much the organization knew he meant to them over the years. The first coach in franchise history. All-time winningest coach in franchise history. The respect that the organization has for Barry Trotz.
“And I think Trotz probably knew that Haslam was going to look around and say, okay, like Bill Haslam had some ideas about what he could do to make the organization better,” said Friedman. “And Barry Trotz said, You know what, I’m not here for the long haul, beyond next year.
And so part of me sees this as two people looking at the way they saw the world and saying, this is the best solution. And I believe they wanted to do right 1000% with Trotz as a person. And I think that’s why we are where we are today.”
As previously mentioned, it’s strange to see a GM stay on to not only help choose his successor, but also meet the trade deadline. But it makes sense, considering the situation the Edmonton Oilers found themselves in when President/CEO Jeff Jackson led Free Agency after Ken Holland was not extended as GM heading into the 2024 NHL Free Agency period.
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And again, Trotz’s resignation is a selfless act, and he will do what is best for the organization.
“I will also say this: I think Bill Haslam is very comfortable with Trotz running the show while they look for a successor because they think Trotz will do what’s best for the organization, not what’s best for him,” Friedman added.
“Just like you’ve all been involved in sports before. Sometimes when people feel like they have to survive or are in trouble, they do things that only benefit them. I think this is clear now and it’s all out in the open. Bill Haslam trusts Barry Trotz, so you don’t have to worry about your legacy here; you just have to do what’s right for the team.”
It will be interesting to see who the Nashville Predators hire next.
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