A step back in time for the Predators

The man who was the first head coach of the “Preds” and who remained in the organization from 1998 to 2014 was officially introduced to the media on Monday. For the first time, the 60-year-old will be GM in the National Hockey League (NHL).

For Trotz, it's above all a return home and a dream come true.

“I would like to thank David. In 1997, he dropped me a phone call saying he wanted to hire me to be part of the Predators. He gave me my chance by offering the job to the person with the least experience he knew. He probably made the same mistake today,” he joked at a press conference.

Trotz was not entirely unknown at the time, because he had led the Portland Pirates, the school club of the Washington Capitals to conquer the Calder Cup, in 1994. After a stay of four seasons in Maine, he accepted with joy the call of Poile .

Same, but different

The one who will retire on June 30 was very emotional in front of his family. Poile's dream also came true 26 years ago, capping a 50-plus-year career in the NHL. He is also the most successful general manager in history since March 2018.

“Today is the time for a new voice, a new vision, a new direction for the Predators. Twenty-six years ago, my goal was to transform this non-traditional hockey market into a hockey community. […] Now is the time to retire and become the number 1 supporter of the Predators, “said the Torontonian in the introduction.

Trotz will find in Nashville some players he knew with the Predators, including defenseman Mattias Ekholm and forwards Filip Forsberg and Colton Sissons. He also had good words for Roman Josi, his former protege, whom he now considers one of the best captains in the NHL.

“When I look around me, everything is familiar, but also very strange, because everything has changed, he admitted. What remained in Nashville was David Poile. I remember the beginnings, when everything was more difficult, and I see how far the organization has come. I will be able to rely on the exceptional work of the last 25 years of this man.

After his retirement, Poile, 73, will remain with the Predators in an advisory role.