Nash Daily: Predators All-In On Andrew Brunette, Kyle Dubas update

Just as incoming general manager Barry Trotz starts to get his foundation laid, he’s made his biggest move yet.

Andrew Brunette is expected to be named the fourth head coach in Predators’ history, replacing John Hynes who was fired on Tuesday morning after three-plus seasons with the club. The team also announced it had fired assistant coach Dan Lambert as well.

It would make a lot of sense to promote Karl Taylor to fill Lambert’s spot and run the #Preds power play

The Admirals had the No. 1 power play in the AHL this season (24.6%) https://t.co/IIZ5ON6UZ2

— Michael Gallagher (@MGsports_) May 30, 2023

A few faces from the Predators inaugural season weighed in on what to expect of Brunette as the coach of the Predators and more before he addresses the media on Wednesday for the first time alongside Trotz.

“John Hynes is a good man and a good hockey coach,” incoming general manager Barry Trotz said in a statement. “He did an outstanding job after the trade deadline with our team, especially with our young players, and he is a well-prepared, hard-working coach who will continue to grow in the NHL. After our year-end meetings and some additional evaluation, it was time to change the voice and time to go in a different direction.”

Hynes was brought in to replace Peter Laviolette back in January of 2020. He too is searching for a new job in the NHL after being fired by the Washington Capitals this offseason. Laviolette is a reported frontrunner for the New York Rangers head coaching job.

The Rangers are reportedly "beginning to lean" toward Peter Laviolette and a decision could come this week https://t.co/po1Cuje5mO pic.twitter.com/QiJxOaChys

— SNY (@SNYtv) May 29, 2023

Spencer Carbery, who was a frontrunner to replace Hynes, was named the new head coach of the Capitals on Tuesday after serving as an assistant with the Toronto Maple Leafs for two years. He coached alongside Sheldon Keefe before accepting his new role.

Carbery had been the American Hockey League coach for the Capitals before going to the NHL level with the Leafs. Trotz was the head coach while Carbery was down in the minors with the Hershey Bears.

Around the NHL and National Hockey Now

Washington Hockey Now: Carbery agreed to a four-year deal with the Washington Capitals to become the 20th head coach in franchise history on Tuesday afternoon. He spent the last two seasons as an assistant coach with the Toronto Maple Leafs. Leading the team’s power play, the unit became one of the league’s best over his two-year span up north.

Florida Hockey Now: A former Nashville Predator is doing his part in an attempt to win his third Stanley Cup. Forward Patric Hornqvist taken 230th overall in the 2005 draft hasn’t played a single minute during the playoffs but is keeping his teammates accountable during the Panthers’ second Finals appearance.

Pittsburgh Hockey Now: The former Pittsburgh Penguins president of hockey operations, Brian Burke, addressed how Kyle Dubas handled his situation with the Toronto Maple Leafs. The Fenway Sports Group, has interviewed and is believed to have offered at least the Penguins’ GM job to Dubas. FSG gave him the holiday weekend, perhaps more time, to decide.

Follow Nick on Twitter: @KieserNick