DEVELOPING: Trotz Dismissed In Nashville

((HT: NHL))

The only head coach the Nashville Predators have ever had has been let go...

After fifteen seasons, but not making the playoffs in the last couple Barry Trotz was dismissed from the position. He was offered a position in hockey operations for the franchise.

From the team:

“Our organization has high expectations and we have not met them in the past two seasons,” Poile said of making the most difficult decision of his 30-plus year general manager career. “As a result, it is my decision and determination that we need a new voice and a new direction. Our change in direction began over a year ago as we have made several personnel changes, including trading of long-time veteran players and a change to our coaching staff last offseason. Our goal is to return to the playoffs with the ultimate goal of contending for the Stanley Cup. We know that once we get into the playoffs, anything is possible.

“I also want to thank Barry for everything he has done for our franchise. He has been the face and voice of our team for 15 years. He created, developed and lived The Predator Way – on the ice, in the office and in the community. There could be no finer ambassador for the Predators or Nashville than Barry Trotz. He has laid a foundation and culture that will benefit the next coach of the Nashville Predators.”

The Preds only made it past the first round of the playoffs once, and it will be interesting to see who the team chases after for the head coach opening.

Ironically, here's a little feature that the league itself put together on Trotz about a month ago describing what his life is like as a coach in the National Hockey League...


The team could lose up to six players to free agency- Spaling, Eaves, Ellis, del Zotto, Ekholm, and Hutton. They were within 4 million or so of the salary cap and it will be a good barometer on the franchise as to how they bring players in with the new head coach...

Philosophy will be everything to see how the team moves forward...