The Nashville Predators dropped a major announcement on Monday: Barry Trotz, one of the most respected figures in franchise history and the current general manager, will retire at the end of the season. And no, this isn’t a move to return behind the bench-Trotz is stepping away from hockey altogether to spend more time with his family.
For Nashville fans, this is more than just a front office shakeup. Trotz is woven into the very fabric of this franchise.
He was the Predators’ first-ever head coach, guiding the team through its formative years and staying on for 15 seasons before stepping away after the 2013-14 campaign. He went on to coach the Washington Capitals-leading them to a Stanley Cup win in 2018-and later the New York Islanders.
When longtime GM David Poile stepped down following the 2022-23 season, Trotz returned to Nashville to take the reins in the front office.
But his tenure as general manager didn’t mirror the success he found behind the bench. Trotz made big splashes in free agency, signing high-profile names like Steven Stamkos and Jonathan Marchessault.
On paper, those moves looked like the kind of bold bets that could fast-track a retool. In reality, the Predators have struggled mightily since, and while they’re technically still in the playoff hunt, it’s clear the team hasn’t found its footing.
Trotz will stay on until a new general manager is hired, but the search is officially on. So who could be next in line to lead the Predators into their next chapter? Here are three names to keep an eye on-each bringing a unique blend of experience, perspective, and potential to the table.
Marc Bergevin: The Proven Executive
Marc Bergevin’s name carries weight in NHL front offices, and for good reason. He was at the helm of the Montreal Canadiens during a rollercoaster tenure that included a trip to the Stanley Cup Final in 2021 and an Eastern Conference Final appearance earlier in his run. Say what you will about his time in Montreal-it had its highs and lows-but Bergevin has proven he can build a team capable of making noise in the postseason.
After his time with the Canadiens, Bergevin joined the Los Angeles Kings in an advisory role. But when the Kings made a front office shift and brought in Ken Holland, Bergevin moved on again-this time to Buffalo, where he currently serves as an associate general manager with the Sabres.
It would take a compelling opportunity to lure Bergevin away from his current role, but the chance to run his own team again might be exactly that. Nashville could benefit from his experience and his track record of making bold moves. He’s done the job before, and he’s done it under the brightest lights.
Shawn Horcoff: The Rising Star
The Detroit Red Wings are having a quietly strong season, and while general manager Steve Yzerman gets most of the headlines, assistant GM Shawn Horcoff has been a key figure behind the scenes. Horcoff joined the Red Wings in 2016 as director of player development and was promoted to assistant GM in 2022. He also serves as general manager of the AHL’s Grand Rapids Griffins.
And that Griffins team? They’re not just good-they’re making history.
At 33-6-2-1, they’re off to the best start in the AHL’s 90-year history. That kind of success doesn’t happen by accident.
Horcoff has helped oversee the development of key NHL contributors like Moritz Seider and Lucas Raymond, and his fingerprints are all over Detroit’s recent progress.
If the Predators want to lean into player development and build from within, Horcoff is an intriguing option. He’s young, he’s sharp, and he’s already shown he can help build a winning culture at both the AHL and NHL levels. For a franchise looking to reset its foundation, Horcoff could be a smart long-term play.
Brandon Pridham: The Cap Specialist
Brandon Pridham is a bit of a unicorn in NHL front offices. He’s not a former player or a traditional scout-turned-executive. Instead, Pridham has built his reputation as one of the league’s foremost experts on the salary cap-a skill that’s become more valuable than ever in today’s NHL.
Currently the assistant general manager of the Toronto Maple Leafs, Pridham is believed to be the highest-paid non-GM in the league. He’s been a critical figure behind the scenes in Toronto, managing the team’s cap situation while keeping a high-powered roster intact. Former Leafs GM Kyle Dubas once said, “I don’t know that there’s any person that I talk to more in my day-to-day… I couldn’t do without him.”
Pridham didn’t land the GM job in Toronto when Dubas left in 2023, and he’s remained with the organization since. But if the Predators can convince him to make the leap, it could be a franchise-altering hire. His cap acumen, combined with his experience managing star-laden rosters, could be exactly what Nashville needs to turn the corner.
Barry Trotz’s departure marks the end of an era in Nashville-again. But it also opens the door to a new chapter, one that will be defined by who takes the reins next. Whether the Predators go with a seasoned vet like Bergevin, a development-minded up-and-comer like Horcoff, or a cap wizard like Pridham, the next GM will inherit a team in transition, but with pieces to work with.
This is a pivotal moment for the franchise. The right hire could reset the course-and bring the Predators back to relevance in a hurry.