yikes i guess everyone is allowed to have a POV
- kiddels2

Yup, even you. But as someone who's been watching hockey for over 40 years and has been a day one season ticket holder with this team I would consider my POV a little more informed than emotional.

I have been a Nashville fan for a long time, since '98 to be exact. As sad as I am to see Trotzy not be renewed, I am really happy he has a chance to move forward with his career. I read another article that he has been offered another position in the club, but where I could really see him shine is as an Assistant coach that specializes on a defensive system that will compliment the offense of the team he joins. Personally I believe that D.P. needs to be let go as well. He has not really done anything but hinder the team by matching the rediculous offer sheet on Shea Weber, yes Weber is our captain and was at the time, but going into a season with a cut salary cap and matching that contract really hurt the team. No matter what happens in the off season, whether they go into rebuild or keep some of the long term guys, I will continue to cheer for them. Lets strive for a winning season again next year, but lets make playoffs
- sutebe

How has matching Weber's offer sheet hindered this team? And btw, it wasn't Poile's decision to make. It was the ownership group's decision and it was a good one. There's no way they could let Weber walk after losing Suter. Not only would that have sent a signal to other teams that they could pick off our RFAs with a poison pill offer sheet at any time, but it would have sent a horrible message to the fan base.

The Preds had and still have the money to spend. Weber's contract is only going to get better as the years go on and the salary cap rises.

That's not exactly true. In the off-season they had their Skate of the Union. At that event Poile explained that he and Trotz sat down after the season to figure out what went wrong and how they could make it back to the playoffs. Trotz thought they needed a return to 'Predator Hockey' which is a euphemism for boring offense and strict defense. Poile went out and got Trotz exactly who he wanted for the roster. Trotz had a hand in picking his team.

And I'm not so sure it was Trotz who held the team together. I think they have enough pride that they wanted to do it themselves. The last run the team went on was definitely not Trotz hockey. They scored a lot, they gave up a lot of goals, but the bottom line is, they won.

This team has offensive talent. Trotz stifled it. They brought in Stalberg to do some scoring and Trotz relegated him to the 4th line alongside Clune and Gaustad. No one is going to tally a ton of goals with those guys as linemates. In the meantime he kept Bourque on the 2nd line with more talented linemates all season long. This despite the fact that Bourque was producing less on the 2nd line than Stalberg on the 4th line.

I'm pretty sure the next coach will only make things better. Under Trotz the Preds have been shutout more than any other team, and not just this season. Over the last four seasons. They also had a ridiculous amount of games where they only scored 1 goal. They couldn't score in the shootout. The next coach would have to suck an awful lot to reach those depths of offensive ineptitude.

My guess is that Housley will be the next coach. I think they brought him in for just this situation, and I think he would be excellent.
- Predaceous

FTR Mitch Korn hand picked Carter Hutton.

I worry that they will not be able to attract a solid coach for the job. The talk of Housley being head coach is worrisome...he has very little experience and is most likely not ready to balance a full load of being a head coach.

I like many am ready for a change in system...but anyone thinking that this team underperformed this year is kidding themselves. This team could EASILY be a bottom ten team next year.

I worry that they will not be able to attract a solid coach for the job. The talk of Housley being head coach is worrisome...he has very little experience and is most likely not ready to balance a full load of being a head coach.

I like many am ready for a change in system...but anyone thinking that this team underperformed this year is kidding themselves. This team could EASILY be a bottom ten team next year.
- nikoli1206

19-17-5 at home & 2-9 in shoot outs. 2 more home W's or 6- 5 shoot out record. BT would still be here!

I come here every day and read what is being said about our team and agree that it is probably time for a change. But today is about saying goodbye to a great person who has done a ton of good for this city not only as a coach but a great ambassador of the game of hockey. THANK YOU BARRY TROTZ. :

19-17-5 at home & 2-9 in shoot outs. 2 more home W's or 6- 5 shoot out record. BT would still be here!
- slash&smash

I have to think that Poile has seen this coming for a while now. Maybe he was getting bored of the system too...

Lived in Nashville for 8 years, saw many a games at the Bridgestone, he had a good run with what he had to work with. I did hate a fee years ago, the team was very dump and chasey but wasnt the right roster for it but heck of a coach, he'll work again sooner than later

Kudos to Barry for a great coaching career.

But for running out of gas a few years ago the Preds came damn close to playing for the Cup. Trotz got everything he could out of his players and anyone who lasts 15 years in the job is a success no matter how many banners hang from the rafters.

Stick tap from SJ for a departing pro.

Wait til the Pens stumble in the playoffs. Shero will can Bylsma and hire this guy to coach the Penguins.

I worry that they will not be able to attract a solid coach for the job. The talk of Housley being head coach is worrisome...he has very little experience and is most likely not ready to balance a full load of being a head coach.

I like many am ready for a change in system...but anyone thinking that this team underperformed this year is kidding themselves. This team could EASILY be a bottom ten team next year.
- nikoli1206

If we are going to suck it might as well be next year with the C. McD sweepstakes....just sayin.

Given Poile's seeming inability/ownership's seeming unwillingness to land the big-name FA, I'm sure Trotz had input so far as, "We have to win by having a bare bones offsense that plays well defensively." Maybe if Poile could actually bring in a legit offensive weapon, Poile wouldn't have to go that route.
- jmatchett383

So it's time to restart the Ovechkin to Nashville rumors?

It was tough to watch the Trotz press conference yesterday. I agree the Preds needed a change, but he's a class act guy. A bit inflexible as a coach, and didn't always adapt well on the fly - but he was great for this city as the franchise grew (despite cheapo Leipold) into a perennial playoff team.

But if you look at this year's non-wildcard playoff teams, all but one have at least one 60+ point player (Tampa is the exception & they traded St. Louis at the deadline - or they would have one too). Almost all of them have at least one 30-goal scorer too. The Preds don't have a single one in either category. That's not a recipe for success. You simply need an offensive player or two that creates matchup problems for the other team.

The team has proven it can score some goals. But it's a streaky offensive team because they don't have a true scoring threat and offensive leader. The Preds were shut out 9 times this year. Scored 1 goal in regulation 16 times. Scored two goals in regulation 17 times. That's HALF of the season where the team scored 2 goals or less. Even if Pekka was healthy - that's not a winning formula.

I'm not sure if the blame for the lack of a top line pure scorer is on Trotz's style, Poile's inability to deal, lack of dollars to spend in the market, or just pure coincidence? This offseason is the final straw for Poile in my opinion. If he brings in the right coach & picks up a couple of legitimate top-6 forwards, then he may solidify himself in the GM role until retirement. If not, then I think ownership will have an easy decision.

Tell me this....Did Trotz tell Poile what kind of players he needed or did Poile tell Trotz what kind of players he's getting?

Tell me this....Did Trotz tell Poile what kind of players he needed or did Poile tell Trotz what kind of players he's getting?
- Predrod

I would guess BT hand picked last year's free agents except Stalberg.

Wait til the Pens stumble in the playoffs. Shero will can Bylsma and hire this guy to coach the Penguins.
- DaveG73

Crosby & Malkin will pitch a fit & block that move! Watch Shea Weber's interview yesterday, his comments at the end.

They were close to making the playoffs because they made a run at the end of the season. A run that included teams with nothing to play for. It's a mirage. This team wasn't as close to the playoffs as the standings indicate. Chicago didn't even play their best players. They took Hossa out of the game after his goal. Minnesota was trying to stay injury free.
- Predaceous

They missed by three points. I will grant you that two teams basically took the night off...but those other wins were legit. There were many games against teams struggling for position that they won. At worst, they would have finished 7 points out...with Pekka out 51 games. That is a hell of a run and Trotz should get credit for it.

If we are going to suck it might as well be next year with the C. McD sweepstakes....just sayin.


- wareaglePREDS

So everyone wants Trotz fired to great back into the mix...but now we are talking about tanking?