With or without a GM yet, Predators’ roster plan taking shape
To say the Barry Trotz era in Nashville as GM was underwhelming would be a kind understatement. Brought in and groomed by the Predators‘ first and only GM David Poile, Trotz took over GMs duties in July of 2023.
Since then, the Predators made the playoffs once – a first round exit versus the Vancouver Canucks in 2024 – and have missed the postseason in back to back seasons. Earlier this season Trotz announced he would not be returning as the team’s GM.
There are several mistakes that went into the Predators’ downfall under Trotz, specifically signing big-name free agents who didn’t exactly fit the team’s on-ice needs. Whatever the case, a new direction will be taken for the Predators; the problem is that, for the time being, there isn’t a clear path as long as there is no successor named to Trotz.
Speaking with team sources, Daily Faceoff was told the Predators’ GM search has gone “quiet” after some names were swirling around earlier in the process. It was confirmed to Daily Faceoff weeks ago that assistant GMs Scott Nichol and Jeff Kealty did not make it past the first round of interviews. Beyond that, names like Florida Panthers AGM Brett Peterson, Boston Bruins AGM Jamie Langenbrunner, Dallas Stars AGM Scott White and former New Jersey Devils GM Tom Fitzgerald have been linked in past weeks.
But no progress happened that we know of in recent weeks. Were things in a holding pattern as the hockey world looked to see what unfolded with the coveted Toronto Maple Leafs GM job?
All we can do right now is theorize as to what direction the team will (and arguably should) take once the front office is sorted out. Though the big chair is yet to be filled, there is a thought as to what the direction could be from those within the organization.
Team sources told DFO late last week that one of the objectives of the group going forward should be clearing out veteran, depth forwards to make room for prospects – many of which may be ready to make the jump in Nashville. 2021 first-round pick Fedor Svechkov and 2023 first-round pick Matthew Wood already cemented themselves as the second- and third-line center, respectively, this season, each skating in at least 70 games.
2026 first-round pick Brady Martin is expected to push for a spot next season; he registered one goal in three playoffs games for the Milwaukee Admirals during the AHL playoffs. The Predators also landed 24-year-old KHL free agent center Vitali Pinchuk, who will be added to the mix next season. Beyond that, 2022 first=round pick Joakim Kemell – he registered 56 points in 48 games with the Admirals this season – will surely get more than just the 16 games he had with the Predators this season.
As for who could be moved out, sources told DFO that it would likely not be the top-six veteran forwards. Specifically citing Steven Stamkos, a team source said, “Our best forward got us 42 goals last season.’’ It would be fair to lump Ryan O’Reilly, Filip Forsberg and Luke Evangelista among the forwards that the Predators won’t be looking to move off of; they want to have a strong, veteran base to support the incoming injection of youth.
But someone has to go if the Preds are indeed looking to open up roster spots for the young wave. 35-year-old Jonathan Marchessault is an interesting name, who missed 20 games due to injury and finished the season with 31 points. Whether or not he is considered a “top-six” forward is subjective, but he has been (seemingly) buried down the depth chart behind other right-shooting wingers and found his name in the rumor mill over the winter.
It will be hard to find a taker for the remaining three years on Marchessault’s contract (carrying an AAV of $5.5 million and locked and loaded with a NMC) for the next GM, but it is an avenue that could very likely be explored depending on how the player is viewed internally depth-chart wise. If the Preds want to commit to opening up roster room for the kids, might they also walk away from UFA forwards Erik Haula and Tyson Jost?
On the back end, there shouldn’t be major moves expected, team sources told DFO. Aside from captain Roman Josi, the Predators added three top-four defensemen in free agency going back to 2024, committing a combined annual value of $15.25 million to Brady Skjei, Nicolas Hague and Nick Perbix, all signed to varying terms. A team source did say to expect the addition of a depth, right-shot defenseman.
In net, the Predators have made their bed after the questionable decision to re-sign Juuse Saros and move off of prospect goaltender Yaroslav Askarov in the summer of 2024. Saros, 31, is under contract until 2033 and carries an AAV of $7.74 million along with a full NMC. He will be the starting goalie in Nashville for the foreseeable future.
The Predators’ direction will not be fully sorted out until they find the next guy to head up their hockey operations department, but there is already some line of thinking as to where they should go with some areas of the team. With so many young players ready to take the next step, it may not be as long of a turnaround in Nashville as once thought if the new regime plays their cards right.
_____