Nashville Predators GM Barry Trotz continues to be honest about how he wants to reset his roster and won’t be afraid to make bold trade.
The Nashville Predators have definitely faced a frustrating season. General Manager Barry Trotz made bold moves in free agency, but so far, they haven’t paid off. Players such as Jonathan Marchessault, Steven Stamkos, and Brady Skjei have not produced results for the Predators this year. Consequently, Trotz is approaching his players, offering them the option to be moved if they desire.
In a conversation with 1025 The Game, Trotz stated, “I’m all right with it. We took our shot, okay? We still need players to compete against top talent.” The goal is to have some players express a desire to stay while allowing those who aren’t contributing (or don’t wish to) to leave.
Trotz Tried, But His Offseason Plan Didn’t Work
As Trotz mentioned earlier in the season, he engaged in fantasy hockey on July 1st. Following a 17-game point streak for the Predators, there was a sense that they were poised to compete in the Central Division. Juuse Saros was performing well, Roman Josi and Filip Forsberg were in sync, and the system implemented by Andrew Brunette was proving effective.
Rather than focusing on developing a team, the Predators opted to go all in and attempt to win within a two-to-three-year timeframe by bringing in veteran players. One of those players, Steven Stamkos, despite his claims, wasn’t truly eager to leave Tampa, and it’s evident that this is impacting his performance on the ice.
The Predators got off to a slow start and were unable to recover. Nashville is currently 17 points behind a playoff spot and has shifted to a selling position as the NHL Trade Deadline approaches.
Trotz Unafraid to Move Players That Don’t Want to be Predators
Trotz has been open and forthright throughout the season during his weekly Tuesday radio appearances on 102.5 the Game in Nashville, and this past Tuesday was no exception. He discussed the possibility of a roster reset if things don’t go as planned, as well as the need to get younger and refresh the roster. Additionally, he made a more significant and bold remark about moving players out who either didn’t want to be part of the team or didn’t believe in his vision.
Barry Trotz Predators GM
“I’ve had conversations with all of our key players and outlined our plan: if you’re on board, that’s fantastic; if you’re not, just let me know so I can adjust accordingly,” Trotz mentioned on 102.5 ESPN in Nashville with Jared Stillman.
This marks a significant change from earlier in the season when he opted to let things unfold naturally.
Trotz went on to say:
“I’m okay with it now. We took our swing, okay. We still need guys to be able to play against top players. We have some of those players, they’re starting to age. The next group needs some support, and the next group is going to need those guys if we finish where we are this year and we get the high pick. That young man is going to need some help, you just do. We’re going to be okay, we have a good culture. We don’t believe in losing, so maybe it’s just staying the course that’s all.”
Is Every Player Available for a Trade?
Based on Trotz’s remarks, it seems that all players are available for trade. However, it’s important to mention that six of the veteran players have no-movement clauses. Ryan O’Reilly doesn’t have one, but is being treated as if he does. To navigate this situation, Trotz mentioned that he wouldn’t hesitate to approach one of these players to ask if they would consider waiving their clause to facilitate a trade.
“I would gladly approach a player and ask, ‘Would you be open to this?’” Trotz stated.
The Predators have been linked to Dylan Cozens from the Buffalo Sabres as Trotz seeks to bolster the center position and infuse youth into the lineup. It will be intriguing to observe Nashville’s activity in the coming days, but one thing is certain: Barry Trotz isn’t afraid to take bold steps.
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