Nashville Predators general manager Barry Trotz (center) speaks alonside majority owner Bill Haslam (left) and CEO Sean Henry during a press conference at Bridgestone Arena on February 2, 2026. RUSSELL VANNOZZI/NASHVILLE PREDATORS
There was already uncertainty surrounding the immediate and long-term direction of the Nashville Predators.
General manager Barry Trotz added to the question marks on Feb. 2 when he announced his intention to retire and move into an advisory role for the last year of his contract in 2026-27.
Meanwhile, the Predators (26-24-7) enter the NHL’s Olympic break just four points out of the Western Conference’s final wild card spot.
Here are five key questions to consider amid the chaos:
Where is this year’s team headed?
The Predators have muddied the answer by playing better hockey for the last two months. After falling to the bottom of the league standings in late November, Nashville has climbed back into wild card contention.
The playoffs are still a possibility with a strong finish.
“We understand the situation we’re in,” forward Steven Stamkos said. “We can’t afford to take any nights off. We understand the importance of each point we need to accumulate here down the stretch.”
To get there, the Predators will need their stars to continue to shine. Stamkos (28 goals), Roman Josi (22 points in last 18 games), Filip Forsberg (eight goals since Jan. 16) and Ryan O’Reilly (56 points) are already carrying a heavy load.
What happens at the trade deadline?
The NHL’s March 6 trade deadline is one month away.
Trotz seems determined to set up his replacement for success. He reiterated that stance throughout the press conference announcing his retirement.
“We’re not in the playoffs right now, so I’ve got to listen to everything,” Trotz said. “I owe that to both (team owner Bill Haslam and CEO Sean Henry) and our fan base. I have to look at everything. I’m going to look at it from a now and a future (perspective). Everything’s on the table.”
If the Predators choose to sell, players on expiring contracts like Michael Bunting, Erik Haula and Michael McCarron could be first to go. Trotz may be forced to make several tough decisions, like whether the returns for O’Reilly and Stamkos are worth the void their departures would create. Other names to watch include Nick Blankenburg, Jonathan Marchessault, Nick Perbix and Cole Smith.
Nashville Predators head coach Andrew Brunette looks on during the third period against the Minnesota Wild on December 23, 2025 at Grand Casino Arena in St. Paul, Minn. BAILEY HILLESHEIM/ICON SPORTSWIRE
Will Andrew Brunette keep his job?
Trotz’s departure is not a positive development for coach Andrew Brunette’s job security.
Brunette, who holds a 103-98-20 record in three seasons with the Predators, is painfully aware of the circumstances.
“In my position, it’s terminal,” he said. “There’s not a day that goes by that you don’t think about what’s going to happen, even if Barry is still here. It’s a part of the coaching life. I picked it, I chose it and I understand it.”
Brunette’s relationship with Trotz dates back more than 30 years, and at almost every turn, Trotz has defended his decision to retain the coach he hired in 2023. Once Trotz is replaced, there will no longer be a built-in layer of protection for Brunette.
Who takes over at GM?
It’s anyone’s guess right now. The team could pursue proven executives like Marc Bergevin and Brendan Shanahan, promising assistant GMs like Evan Gold (Boston Bruins) and Brandon Pridham (Toronto Maple Leafs) or even someone with an agent background.
Haslam said the Predators aren’t going to rush their decision, potentially waiting until after the season to request interviews with candidates employed by other teams. Nashville assistant GMs Jeff Kealty, Scott Nichol and Brian Poile are expected to be included in the interview process.
One long shot: New Jersey Devils GM Tom Fitzgerald, who’s on shaky ground in his current role as the Devils fight to keep their slim playoff hopes alive. Fitzgerald, of course, played for the Predators from 1998-2002 and served as the team’s first-ever captain.
He’s also familiar with Brunette. They both played on Nashville’s inaugural 1998-99 team and later worked together when Brunette was an associate coach with the Devils in 2022-23.
Nashville Predators majority owner Bill Haslam talks during a press conference to introduce Nick Saban as a miniority owner on December 22, 2025 at Bridgestone Arena. RUSSELL VANNOZZI/MAIN STREET NASHVILLE
Which path will the organization take next?
Don’t expect a rebuild of the full-teardown variety even if the Predators sell some pieces soon.
With top prospects like Brady Martin and Tanner Molendyk on the way and a war chest of draft capital over the next two years, Trotz is leaving the organizational depth chart in relatively good shape.
Haslam wants the next GM to make the hockey decisions and set the tone for the franchise’s future. He also understands the importance of having a consistently competitive team, which is key to ticket revenue and maintaining fan interest in a city with endless entertainment options.
“I like this team. I like how they’re playing,” Haslam said. “We have some great hockey players. I like the way they play together. Our fans, I think, are enjoying it. So to say that we’re going to scrap all this and totally start over, I don’t think is going to be the right approach.”
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