Barry Trotz Stepping Away As Predators GM: "I love this game. I also love my family."
Barry Trotz will continue to serve as General Manager until his replacement is named.
On Monday morning NHL insider Elliotte Friedman reported that Nashville Predators GM Barry Trotz was stepping down.
At noon, Trotz was joined by Sean Henry, Predators CEO, and majority owner Bill Haslam to explain the move, address questions, and lay out the next steps for the organization’s front office.
“One thing that started to be clear to me is that I was going to retire after the 2026-27 season. I felt the responsibility to inform Bill Haslam in early December of my intention so management would have the adequate time for a replacement search,” Trotz said in his opening comments.
Trotz will continue to serve as General Manager through the upcoming trade deadline and throughout the hiring process. Trotz will also participate with Henry, Haslam, Nashville Predators President Michelle Kennedy, minority owner Nick Saban along with others to form the GM search committee.
Assistant General Managers Jeff Kealty, Scott Nichol, and Brian Poile were informed of the decision, and the organization hopes they will apply for the role. The search committee will look outside of the organization for candidates as well.
Haslam and Henry emphasized that this announcement is not a reflection of any internal disagreement or disappointment with Trotz’s performance as GM or where the team sits in the standings.
“This is about Barry making a life decision, and we’ve been talking about this for thirty days, talking about what’s the best way to do it so we get the best possible result,” said Haslam.
Trotz was visibly emotional when asked about stepping away from the sport he has devoted his life to.
“Sometimes you get defined by what you do, not who you are,” Trotz shared. “For me, I love the game. I also love my family.”
Trotz addressed the team and spoke with head coach Andrew Brunette this morning before the press conference to share the news. The Predators have a game tonight against Central Division rival St Louis Blues and are currently four points out of a wildcard position in the West.
“These guys are pros and they realize at the end of the day, they’ve got a job to do out on the ice,” Bill Haslam said when asked about the effect the news could have on the team.
“The players are the pros, and they live in a world that they see people that are on our team one time and then they’re getting traded. They understand that world. They live it with uncertainty. I’m confident they can handle this.”
The goal is to have a new General Manager in place before draft day in June. There are challenges to bringing someone in during the season as some potential candidates could be under contract with other teams and cannot currently be interviewed.
“I can’t just go call whoever with another team and start talking to them. That’s tampering, and we’d get more than a hand slap for that,” Haslam said.
The leadership is clear that they have confidence in Trotz as he navigates this trade deadline and continues in his role as General Manager until his replacement is named. Practicality was the main factor in announcing the move at this point in the season.
“We want to have the pole in first, if we are fishing for someone,” Trotz said.
Really thoughtful piece on Trotz's decision. The timing of annoucing it mid-season shows he's trying to do right by the organization even while putting family first. I remmeber going through a similar career shift and there's something powerful about giving people advance notice instead of just walking away.