Grant: Barry Trotz Is Managing The Predators His Way

Years ago, David Poile explained what drew him to accept the role as the Nashville Predators’ first general manager. He welcomed the challenge of building a franchise from the ground up, and he wanted his fingerprints all over the DNA of the Predators.

Poile hired Barry Trotz to be the team’s first head coach and, in a full-circle moment last year, Trotz became Poile’s successor. Despite entering just his second season as Predators GM, Trotz has already crafted quite a front-office resume.

He signed “serial winners” in the hopes their experiences would rub off in the locker room. Ryan O’Reilly and Gustav Nyquist were arguably two of the best free-agent signings the league saw in 2023, and it was only Trotz’s first summer at the helm.

Well, Trotz didn’t disappoint in his sophomore summer. He signed two-time Stanley Cup champion Steven Stamkos to a hefty deal worth $8 million annually. After Matt Duchene and Ryan Johansen, it’s fair to say doling out that much money could leave some fans a little shy on confidence, especially when the recipient is a player in his mid-30s who is no stranger to injuries. But that’s the thing we’re seeing with Trotz – he has a vision, and he’s sticking to it. He believes in what he’s preaching, and in some ways, he’s staking his GM career on it.

You can’t play scared, coach scared or manage scared because, in that profession, you don’t know how long you’ll be around or whether you’ll get another opportunity. If it went wrong, Trotz could look back at his tenure and feel comfortable knowing he attacked with the plan he believed in and a vision that represented both himself and the Predators in the best possible way.

Trotz has recently been criticized for how the Yaroslav Askarov situation played out. Some call it the first major mistake in the GM’s young career. But really, is it?

The 21-year-old Askarov made it known he wanted a shot in the NHL sooner rather than later, preferably this season. He clearly saw the signings of Juuse Saros and Scott Wedgewood as the Predators closing the door on that possibility. However, Trotz has always expressed the desire to build the team with winners. So, is it not reasonable to assume he also sees competition as a positive tool to improve a roster?

Trotz expected Askarov to report to camp in September and to compete for an NHL job. Granted, it would have been difficult for Askarov to crack the top two on the Predators’ goalie depth chart with Saros and Wedgewood signed. But as a professional, it shouldn’t have stopped him from trying. Askarov’s request for a trade clearly showed he had no desire to compete for a roster spot, though he perhaps expected one due his status as a top goaltender prospect.

Trotz was questioned regarding the return for Askarov, with some believing the package coming the other way was a bit light compared to what was expected. But Trotz consistently vocalized that he wanted a fair haul for the talented young goalie. The fact he accepted what he did further shows the market dictates value. If the return seemed a bit underwhelming compared to the rumors or speculation, perhaps the rest of the league saw the situation the same way Trotz did: Askarov is a young goalie with a lot of potential who hasn’t proven anything on the main stage and whose personality and emotions may need management.

For as much talent as Askarov has, he can become unraveled, which in turn can waste his talent. Askarov demonstrated this during last season’s AHL playoffs. While playing for the Admirals, the Russian-born goalie tackled Curtis McKenzie of the Texas Stars during Game 2 of the Central Division semifinals, drawing a two-minute penalty.

It’s not unfair for Trotz to see this and decide the attitude and antics were not worth the headache for the Predators, especially considering they have a proven Vezina-caliber goalie in Saros, who’s still in his prime.

The Predators are in win-now mode, and Saros gives them the best possible chance at winning. Getting rid of Askarov before the season and before the distraction grew is a veteran move from a GM who is only just getting started. However, Trotz has seen pretty much everything in this league from his coaching days, so he certainly deserves the benefit of the doubt and trust from the fans. If he sees concerns regarding Askarov, then Trotz is most likely correct.

Trading the former first-round goalie wasn’t Trotz’s first mistake. It was a statement move that shows he’s going to lead this team his way with his plan. Winning is the most important thing to Trotz. Any player who may feel they are bigger than the team is impeding that progress.

The Predators will benefit far more from an assertive leader who makes bold judgment calls for the team than from someone who second-guesses decisions, loses focus on the main goal and avoids making moves out of fear of upsetting fans who might not see the bigger picture.

Trotz isn’t trying to replicate any other GM’s style. He has achieved coaching success by being himself, and early signs show he hasn’t changed despite moving to the front office, which is a good thing for the Predators.