Nashville GM Barry Trotz Threatens all of the Predators Players with Major Rebuild
Photo credit: HTR
The general manager of the Nashville Predators, Barry Trotz, has indicated that he is prepared for a potential rebuild because he is not pleased with the team's start to the season.
Most fans considered the Nashville Predators to be Stanley Cup contenders going into 2024-2025 after they loaded up with talent this past offseason, adding Jonathan Marchessault, Brady Skjei, and Steven Stamkos. However, the Predators are currently dead last in the Central Division with a 4-7-1 record after 12 games this season. General manager Barry Trotz has now made a startling statement regarding the team's future as it stands.
".....if we don't get it going, then I'm going to start our rebuild plan."
"I'm trying to do some things right now," Trotz said. "We will be limited a little bit because of some of the contracts that we do have. If we don't get it going, then I'm going to start our rebuild plan."
The team's start to the season was the biggest letdown in the NHL because, in addition to those three free agency moves, they signed goalie Juuse Saros after adding players like Ryan O'Reilly to a core that already included Filip Forsberg and Roman Josi. Trotz did not elaborate on Nashville's rebuilding strategy, but with so much veteran talent, they could arm themselves with a plethora of future assets if they play their hand right and decide to sell at the trade deadline.
"What we did in the summer was fantasy hockey until we become a good team," Trotz said. "If we do not become a good team, then we're going to see a lot more of our kids starting their process."
Even though the Predators are 12 games behind, they still have 70 games to make a comeback, and since last year's unlikely run began late in the season, it is far too soon to panic. The Predators have a 4-2-1 record in their last 7 games, indicating that if they can continue to improve as a team, they may have the talent and aspirations to win the Stanley Cup.
"We brought in the veteran players this year to be a threat, and then hopefully in the coming years our young guys come in and they take bigger roles," Trotz said. "If we fall into the position where we fall out and it doesn't come together, then I'm going to start that process and you're gonna see some kids."
With an average age of 30, the Predators currently have the third-oldest roster in the NHL.
They could sell or become buyers and try to win a Stanley Cup, but after a slow start, they need to start playing consistently before that becomes a more serious conversation. A few weeks ago, it was reported that Trotz was looking at a big-time trade to add to this team, making them one of the most intriguing teams in the entire league this season.
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