When Barry Trotz was in the league as a coach, he enjoyed many great seasons helping cement him as one of the best coaches in NHL history. Winning a Stanley Cup with the Washington Capitals, he wanted to bring fellow winners in when he took over in Nashville with the Predators.
Making many moves, including trades and free agent signings, he certainly left his mark on the team. However, as the possibly worst season in franchise history continues, some moves aren't aging well. Was he given the role by his predecessor David Poile, one of the greatest GMs of all time, too soon?
The Cody Glass Trade
In August 2024, young centerman Cody Glass was moved to the Pittsburgh Penguins. With one more year on the deal at the time, paying him a mere $2.5 million, there was belief he could carry some value to a team hoping to ignite the potential he was drafted for showing. After being drafted in the first round sixth overall, the Predators had these same hopes when acquiring him in a 3 team trade with the Vegas Golden Knights and Philadelphia Flyers.
Unfortunately for the Predators, Glass wasn't able to elevate himself quite to the level they were hoping for. After only 13 points in his final 41 regular season games in Nashville, he was benched for the playoffs. At this point, it was time for a change of scenery, and Trotz obliged. Curiously, in the trade, Trotz had to add a third and sixth-round pick for Jordan Frasca, a player who isn't even playing in a pro league.
Fast forward to this years trade deadline as Predators fans watch the Penguins flip Cody Glass to the New Jersey Devils for Chase Stillman, unsigned prospect Max Graham, and a third-round pick. Stillman is a 21-year-old winger already getting pro games under his belt in the AHL this year, and Graham is captaining his WHL team and enjoying a point-per-game season.
How was Penguins GM Kyle Dubas able to gain assets when Trotz had to pay? The third rounder alone would've hurt Predators fans, but two decent-looking prospects as well leaves many wondering what Trotz was thinking. At first, you'd assume Glass scored at a better pace, hence why the Penguins received more after he joined them. Nope, in 51 games this time around he totaled 15 points. Was Dubas able to do so much better because of his years of experience with the Toronto Maple Leafs? Or even his years of experience as a manager in the OHL before making it to the big leagues?
The Luke Schenn Trade
Just before the trade deadline this season, Barry Trotz moved Tommy Novak and Luke Schenn to the Penguins for Michael Bunting and a fourth-round pick. The minute the trade was announced, it was clear to many around NHL circles who the winner and loser were. Things would only get worse later as Dubas' experience once again shone through as he flipped Luke Schenn to the Winnipeg Jets for a second and fourth-round pick. If Schenn is worth those two picks, what was Novak's value viewed as in the deal with the Penguins?
After seeing the Penguins return it's hard to imagine Trotz couldn't have moved Novak and Schenn for more pieces. Was part of the issue the Predators not wanting to send Schenn to rival Winnipeg? A good GM would move the player wherever he could for maximum value, so let's hope this isn't the case. Still, it remains difficult to understand the lack in value when comparing the two deals involving, Schenn.
As these moves age, many more fans are beginning to question if the right man for the job is in power right now. With no prior experience, was Trotz thrust in too early? Is he in over his head trying to recover from what's trending as the worst season ever for the franchise? Time will continue to tell, but with the season all but over, many will be looking at him to redeem himself at the Draft. A lot of action usually occurs at the draft, and with three first-round picks, the Predators are in a position to be at the center of it.