Early candidates to replace Barry Trotz as Predators general manager

The The Nashville Predators delivered a bit of a bombshell on Monday. CEO Barry Trotz is retiring at the end of this season. Even the long-time coach does not want to return to the role behind the bench. He is retiring from hockey to spend more time with his family.

Trotz is a legendary figure in Nashville, having been the team’s first coach. He spent 15 seasons with the Predators, stepping down in 2013-14. Trotz also coached the Washington Capitals and New York Islanders, winning a Stanley Cup with Washington in 2018. He returned to Nashville after David Poe stepped down as general manager following the 2022-23 campaign.

Unfortunately, Trotz’s venture in the front office hasn’t proven to be the success he’s had behind the bench. He signed big free agents like Steven Stamkos and Jonathan Marcheso. however, The Predators were one of the worst teams in the league since those signings. While they are now in the playoff race, it is clear that a change is needed.

Trotz will remain with the company until a new CEO is hired. But who could that person be? Here are three potential candidates for the Nashville Predators general manager position.

Veteran: Buffalo Sabers AGM Marc Bergevin

Not so long ago, Marc Bergevin was the general manager of the Montreal Canadiens. His time with the Habs had its ups and downs. But those highs were pretty high, as the Canadiens advanced to the Stanley Cup Finals in 2021. Montreal also made the Eastern Conference Finals during his tenure.

Bergevin went on to work as a consultant with the Los Angeles Kings. however, The Kings hired Ken Holland as general manager when Rob Blake left the place. In December, Bergevin left Los Angeles to join the Buffalo Sabers as an assistant general manager.

Few things could tempt Bergevin from his recently hired post. However, if the opportunity to run his own came up, that could be enough to lure him away from Buffalo. The Predators could welcome having a voice in the room who has done high-level work before.

Darkhorse: Detroit Red Wings AGM Shawn Horcoff

The Detroit Red Wings look like they’ve finally turned the corner this season. After a 2-0 win against the Colorado Avalanche on Monday, the Red Wings are second in the Atlantic Division. And they are nine points ahead of the best non-playoff team in the East. It was a good season for Detroit.

Steve Yzerman gets all the headlines as general manager. However, Assistant General Manager Sean Horkoff deserves flowers, too. He joined Detroit as director of player personnel in 2016 before being promoted to assistant general manager in 2022. He is also the general manager of the AHL’s Grand Rapids Griffins.

That Griffins team? They are enjoying a truly historic season. Grand Rapids is 33-6-2-1, marking the hottest start in the AHL’s 90-year history. On the NHL side, he helped oversee the development of stars such as Moritz Seider and Lucas Raymond.

Horcoff could soon start getting interest as a CEO candidate. If the Predators are looking to develop players, bringing in the former Edmonton Oilers star would be a wise move.

Hot prospect: Toronto Maple Leafs AGM Brandon Pridham

Say what you will about the Toronto Maple Leafs, but they’ve had some of the most impressive talent on their roster across the league over the last decade. Auston Matthews, Mitch Marner, William Nylander and Morgan Riley have won or are currently wearing the iconic blue and white sweater. Matthew Nice is also one of the league’s most promising young talents.

One figure in the organization who has gotten a ton of credit is assistant general manager Brandon Pridham. Pridham is believed to be the highest paid non-general manager in the NHL. And his specialty is with a cloth cap attracted enormous praise from former Leafs general manager Kyle Dubas.

“I don’t know that there’s a person I talk to more in my day-to-day life,” Dubas told The Athletic in 2020. “So I couldn’t do without him here, I guess that’s the easiest way to describe Brandon Pridham.”

Pridham has long been considered a potential NHL general manager. He didn’t get the Maple Leafs job when Dubas went to the Pittsburgh Penguins 2023. And he didn’t even get a job outside the organization. It may be difficult to pry Pridham away from Toronto, but if the Predators could pull it off, it would be a home run.