Predators general manager Barry Trotz talks about decision to retire
Predators general manager Barry Trotz talks about decision to retire, says it’s not health-related but family-related
- Predators GM Barry Trotz informed chairman Bill Haslam in December of his decision to spend more time with his family.
- Trotz will remain in his role until a successor is found and will assist in the search for a new general manager.
- He expressed gratitude to the organization and reaffirmed his family’s commitment to the Nashville community.
Nashville Predators general manager Barry Trotz wrote a letter to fans on Feb. 2 explaining his decision to retire.
His contract ends at the end of the 2026-27 season, but he is assisting in the search for his replacement, and is hoping one will be in place by the end of June, when the NHL draft takes place.
Trotz announced his retirement after just under three seasons as the Predators’ GM at a news conference at Bridgestone Arena.
Here is the letter Trotz wrote to the fan base:
“Smashville – “I am writing today to inform you of my intention to retire as general manager of the Nashville Predators. And I wanted you to hear it from me first. After 26 years in the NHL and almost three years as Predators GM, I have decided to leave the day-to-day rigors of the job. I have embraced the job, and I am proud of our accomplishments in re-shaping our hockey operations department. “But I came forward to chairman Bill Haslam in December and told him that it was my intention to retire as GM when my contract expired at the end of the 2026-27 season. I still have passion for the job, but I also must be considerate of the needs of my family and myself. We collectively decided to begin a search for a new general manager immediately so the organization can identify the best candidates and make the perfect hire for the Predators. “I will serve as the organization’s general manager for as long as Bill Haslam and CEO Sean Henry ask me to, but I realize that change might be sooner than later. I will step aside as your general manager as a “Pred for Life,” supporting the organization any way I can. I am pleased that Bill has asked me to help select my replacement and I look forward to assisting him in any way possible as an advisor once that person joins the organization.
“Bill, Sean, and I are aligned in this planned transition with the desire to conduct a full search to find the best possible replacement for me. However, I am happy that we intend to include Assistant General Managers Jeff Kealty, Scott Nichol, and Brian Poile in the interview process. Each of them is a good man and has contributed significantly to our organization’s past successes. I want to thank each of them for their work under me; I view Jeff, Scott, and Brian all as excellent candidates for this position and I am confident they all are future NHL general managers. “I would like to thank Bill and Sean for giving me the opportunity to return as general manager in 2023, but most of all I’d like to thank David Poile for giving me my start in the NHL and with the Predators in 1997. And then being part of the group that selected me to succeed him as general manager.
“I fell in love with this organization and this community when David hired me to be the team’s first head coach in 1997. My wife Kim and I, along with our family, will always call Nashville home; it is an incredible community loaded with great people and amazing spirit. We will continue to do all we can to contribute to this community while I look to help in bringing a Stanley Cup to Broadway. “Thank you for making SMASHVILLE all that it is today. Let’s Go Preds! “Sincerely Yours,
Barry TrotzGeneral Manager”