2023-06-11 20:02:42
In 24 years of Nashville Predators history, no Nashville Predators player has been able to hit the 100-point or 50-goal plateaus in a season. The record for points, which stands at 96, belongs to a defender, Roman Josie, who set that mark in 2021-22. Only two players have already surpassed the 40-goal mark.
“This team has always been recognized for its goaltenders and its defense,” explained the new Predators general manager when he met at the NHL’s Evaluation Session recently. Most people think of Pekka Rinne in net, Shea Weber and Roman Josi in the blue line. But we had several excellent attackers.
“But now what we want is to get our hands on a player who will make the difference in attack. We are in Nashville, a city known for its entertainment, right?
“I said it publicly. I want our scouts to aim for the home run. I want them to take a chance on a player who has the potential to get people out of their seats. Of course, it is possible to find third line players in the first round. That’s not what we’re looking for. »
With the 2023 NHL Draft, to be held in Nashville on July 28 and 29, approaching, fans who will be there will see their local team be very active during these two days. Nashville has a league-high 13 picks, including two first-round picks, two next-round picks and three third-round picks.
“With so many choices, it could be interesting for amateurs, that’s for sure! “, launched Trotz.
On February 27, the Predators announced that Trotz would become the second general manager in franchise history, officially replacing David Poile on July 1. The 60-year-old hockey man was hired by Poile on August 8, 1997 to become the franchise’s first head coach, and went 557-479-100 and 60 ties in 1,196 games as a pilot at Nashville. He later continued his career with the Washington Capitals from 2014 to 2018, winning the Stanley Cup in his final season with the team. He eventually led the New York Islanders from 2018 to 2022.
In this interview with NHL.com, Trotz agreed to discuss his new role, the tough decisions ahead and the vision he has for the team and its future.
David is still officially the GM of the team until the end of the month, but the decisions have been largely made by you for 14 weeks. What are the differences between the coaching role you’ve always had and your new life as GM?
“I would say that I appreciate even more all the work that David has done over the years. It is certain that I intend to modify several things and create my own vision. But first and foremost, I spent the first 90 days getting to know everyone and their jobs, evaluating all aspects of this position, whether it was the team, the scouting department and everything related to the functioning of the organization.
“I want to make sure that the changes I’m going to make are going to bring us up to date, especially in the facets where I believe it wasn’t. I participated in some really tough decisions at the trade deadline. I arrived just before the deadline, and they asked my opinion. You saw the trades we made on the deadline. We traded five big chunks, including Matthias Ekholm, Nino Niederreiter, Tanner Jeannot et Mikael Granlund. We decided that if we want to win the Stanley Cup, we had to take a step back. It’s hard to win when you’re just an average team, and that’s what we were. »
“We now have seven top-83 picks this year. It will be relatively similar next year. We also have wiggle room under the cap, which is worth a lot. »
How to achieve the delicate balance between patience and the desire to win immediately? After all, you don’t want to go back to being just an average team.
“We are going to take steps into the future quite quickly, but at the same time you have to think about the human element. We are drafting 18 year olds. We have to remember that. These young people will take flight between the ages of 22 and 24. And I want to build a formation that will make everyone in their performance window at that time, so players aged 22 to 26.
“We want that development to happen through our farm club in Milwaukee as much as possible. We could have as many as six first-round picks in Milwaukee next year, which is nearly impossible these days. We also want the youngsters to develop in the big club, which is a bit more difficult to achieve. But as we will be a young team, it will possibly be a little easier. »
With so many picks in your possession, is it possible for the Predators to advance in the draft order?
“Yes, we could make a transaction to advance us. It’s always harder to leap forward, but like I said, we have a new philosophy. I challenged our recruiters. I told them we needed four really talented guys in our next two drafts. We aim for the circuit. »
You recently showed head coach John Hynes the door to replace him with Andrew Brunette. Is this decision related to this change in philosophy that you told us about?
“One of the reasons that led to the hiring of Andrew Brunette is that he is a little more focused on the attack. And we want to change the philosophy in Nashville, or at least the perception that people have of our style of play. I still believe in defense, but I also believe in balance, in addition to having excellent draft picks. I would like to have a model where all top-9 players are threats. »
As a former coach, how difficult was it to make a change behind the bench as a first decision?
“Look, they did a good job in difficult circumstances. We traded several key items at the trade deadline, and despite everything, we were in the hunt for the playoffs until the last week. So I told the group of coaches that I was going to analyze the situation. I met the group of owners, the supporters, the players. I then said to myself that if I found the perfect guy, then there could be changes.
“The good news is that everyone on the staff had one year left on their contract. I’ve been in this position before, and I know how different it could have been had they been in their last year of contract, because you don’t want to be in a situation where you don’t know your future. . But like I told everyone, if I hadn’t found the perfect guy, I would have been very comfortable pursuing John Hynes, because he’s a very good coach. But I made this decision because I wanted us to have a different philosophy.
“I have known Andrew for a long time. I know the bond he has with the players, especially the talented ones. I did my research. In the end, I felt that these changes were necessary. It will be a breath of fresh air in Nashville. »
Finally, what are you most looking forward to when Nashville hosts the draft at the end of the month?
“David Poile’s departure ceremony. He deserves all the kudos he gets, and it will be a perfect way for him to leave the field. This concession would be nothing without him. »
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