CAA exits Nashville Predators GM search after NHLPA review

CAA Executive Search has ended its contract to assist the Predators with their search for a GM following a discussion with the NHL Players Association. The decision comes after journalist Frank Seravalli reported Wednesday that the union was “reviewing” the club’s hiring of CAA “for potential conflict of interest violation of the certified agent regulations.”

“After a productive call with the NHLPA, CAA Executive Search has ended its contract with the Nashville Predators with respect to the general manager search,” CAA said in a written statement to SBJ.

The NHLPA subsequently said, “We appreciate CAA’s willingness to work through this issue with us. We consider the matter resolved.”

The Predators announced Tuesday that GM Barry Trotz would be retiring from the role following the appointment of a successor and that he would remain an advisor through the end of his contract, which concludes after the 2026-27 season. The Predators tapped CAA Executive Search to lead the search for Trotz’s replacement, which quickly came under the scrutiny of the NHLPA.

CAA Hockey is among the most powerful player agencies in the sport. It ranks second based on both active contracts (153) and total contract value ($2.1B), according to PuckPedia. The practice’s superstar clientele includes the NHL’s 2023-24 MVP, Avalanche C Nathan MacKinnon, as well as Penguins C Sidney Crosby, Wild D Quinn Hughes and Bruins RW David Pastrnak.

The NHLPA’s rules governing player agents contain language preventing them from engaging in any activity that would create an actual or perceived conflict of interest. According to Seravalli, these restrictions stipulate that any agency that represents NHL players may not also have a role in front office or coaching personnel hiring processes – even if it is being conducted by a different arm of the agency.

The Predators said Friday that they intended to continue working with CAA Executive Search and that they believed their relationship with the firm complied with regulations regarding certified agents and was not a conflict of interest. The team could not immediately be reached for comment on CAA’s cessation of the relationship.