Barry Trotz has had a plan in place since taking over as the general manager of the Nashville Predators and it has quickly come to fruition. By adding and changing out the right pieces, the Predators turned into a very good team this season. One refrain of his is having 'serial winners' on the team. This part of his plan was executed nicely by signing Ryan O'Reilly and Luke Schenn, both Stanley Cup winners. They have each gone all the way, are veterans, and know what it takes to get the job done. With a younger group heading into the future, this type of experience will continue to be needed. In the exit interviews this year, Trotz explained "We're looking for hard people. We're looking for people that are winners. I use the term 'serial winners'." Even with a couple of those players already on the team, the roster of the Predators is not set for next season and there is room and money to add more players like that, whether that be through trades or free agency. Nashville Predators general manager Barry Trotz and head coach Andrew Brunette speak to the media following the conclusion of the 2023-24 season. I think that it is much more likely Nashville will search for what they're looking for in free agency, but Trotz has not been afraid to make trades in his short tenure already. Most of them have worked out well too. There are five names that really pop out at me and include Jake Guentzel, Jonathan Marchessault, Sam Reinhart, Tyler Toffoli, and Teuvo Teravainen. Four of the five have won the Stanley Cup in their careers already. The only one without one is Reinhart who went to the final last season and has proven to be a playoff performer. Yes, these are all wingers, but Trotz noted that he wants to improve the top-9, so each and every one of these talented players with experience can do that. All five players are UFAs this summer. Some will cost a good amount of money, but sometimes that's what it takes to bring in a player of this caliber that the Predators weren't fortunate enough to draft and develop. Despite Trotz seeming to want to bring every free agent from this season back, that isn't realistic and there are going to be some upgrades. The Predators have started the climb to the top and have to continue to get better, not take a step back. The next two months will be an interesting time where we'll find out who is indeed coming back or not and where the space is for new additions in the form of 'serial winners'. RECENT PREDATORS NEWS Podcast: The Predators' Season is Over... Now What? [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/nashville-predators/podcasts/podcast-the-predators-season-is-over-now-what] Predators Stayed In Special Teams Mediocrity & Fit Trend of First Round of Playoffs [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/nashville-predators/latest-news/predators-stayed-in-special-teams-mediocrity-fit-trend-of-first-round-of-playoffs] Razor-Thin Margins Were the Difference in Predators' First-Round Loss to Canucks [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/nashville-predators/latest-news/razor-thin-margins-were-the-difference-in-predators-first-round-loss-to-canucks] Which Nashville Predators on Expiring Contracts Raised Their Value in Playoffs [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/nashville-predators/latest-news/which-nashville-predators-on-expiring-contracts-raised-their-value-in-playoffs]
