Barry Trotz is stepping down as general manager of the Nashville Predators, marking the end of another chapter in a career that’s spanned four decades in professional hockey. After just three seasons at the helm as GM - and nearly a lifetime in the game - Trotz is preparing to pass the torch.
In a statement released Monday, Trotz shared that he informed team owner Bill Haslam back in December of his intention to step away when his contract expires at the end of the 2026-27 season. But after some internal conversations, the decision was made to start the search for his successor now. Trotz emphasized he's willing to stay in the role until a new GM is in place, however long that process takes.
This is a move that hits with some weight, especially in Nashville, where Trotz’s name is practically stitched into the fabric of the franchise. He was the team’s first-ever head coach, guiding the Predators from their inaugural season in 1998 through 2014.
Then he went on to win a Stanley Cup with the Capitals in 2018 and picked up two Jack Adams Awards along the way. When he returned to Nashville in 2023 to take over as GM from longtime executive David Poile - another giant in Preds history - it felt like a full-circle moment.
Trotz wasted no time making bold moves. His 2024 offseason was one of the most aggressive in the league, landing big names like Steven Stamkos, Jonathan Marchessault, and Brady Skjei.
It was a clear signal: Trotz was swinging for the fences. But despite the splashy acquisitions, the Predators missed the playoffs last season and are currently sitting four points out of a postseason spot this year.
Still, Trotz made it clear during his press conference that this isn’t about health concerns or a desire to return behind the bench. At 63, he’s stepping back on his own terms - and not because he’s looking for another coaching gig.
This move also underscores how rare continuity is in pro sports. Trotz is only the second general manager in Predators history, following Poile, who ran the show from the team’s birth in 1997 until 2023. That kind of front-office stability is almost unheard of in today’s NHL.
Now, Nashville is preparing for its next era - one that will be shaped by whoever takes over the GM role. But make no mistake: Barry Trotz’s fingerprints will remain all over this franchise, from the early days of expansion to the modern-day rebuild.
He helped build the identity of the Predators, both behind the bench and in the front office. And as the team looks ahead, his legacy will still be part of the foundation.