Predators GM David Poile to Retire on June 30
The Nashville Predators announced GM David Poile will retire and be replaced by longtime NHL coach Barry Trotz on July 1.
It is the end of an era in Nashville.
The Nashville Predators announced Sunday afternoon that David Poile will retire from the role of GM and president of hockey operations on June 30. Poile is the only person to have held that post in Predators' history, serving as GM for 26 years.
Former Predators coach Barry Trotz will take over Poile as his successor, while Poile will remain with the club in an advisory role. Trotz is currently an advisor for the team as he transitions into the new role. Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman first reported the news.
"This is a decision that is best for me personally and best for the Nashville Predators," Poile said in a statement. "For the Predators, I believe it is time for a new voice and a new direction. I am proud of the foundation we have put in place in our hockey operations, investing in and improving every area of the department. This is the right time for someone else to move our franchise forward.
Poile is the only GM in NHL history to be in the role for at least 3,000 games, currently at 3,049, dating back to 1982-83. During that time, he has the most wins with 1,519, the most regulation losses with 1,162, 176 overtime losses and 192 ties. He spent the first 13 seasons of his GM career with the Washington Capitals before joining Nashville in 1997-98.
The 73-year-old was named the 2017 NHL GM of the year when his Predators made it to the Stanley Cup final for the first time in franchise history, losing to the Penguins 4-2 in the series.
Poile's days as Predators GM appeared to be winding down over the past few seasons, with the club failing to find any post-season success, but the timing of the news is somewhat surprising.
Few GMs opt to retire with the trade deadline mere days away – especially those of Poile's stature. In fact, Poile pulled the trigger on a sizable move roughly 24 hours prior to the news of his impending retirement surfaced, sending forward Nino Niederreiter to the Winnipeg Jets for a 2024 second-round pick.
Now, a new era of Predators hockey is seemingly on the horizon, as Trotz, who served as the club's coach from 1997 until 2014, will strive to right a ship that has steered off course of late. The Predators are currently eight points out of a playoff spot with three games in hand on the Minnesota Wild in the second wild card.
"My heart has been in Nashville since that first season in 1998-99," Trotz said in a statement. "I believe our team and our fanbase has developed a relationship that is very unique in sports today, and I am excited to be returning home to the organization and the city where I held my first head coaching job in the NHL.
"I can't thank David enough, not only for turning over the job to me, but for teaching me so much over the past 40 years. I believe I am prepared to succeed as an NHL general manager, and I have David to thank for that."
