Paul McCann: Barry Trotz - An Appreciation of the Man

Extremely mixed feelings today on the move today at 501 Broadway. I do believe it's time, after 15 years, for a new voice behind the Nashville Predators Hockey Team bench; however, there is no classier, humble man in the league than Barry Trotz.

Selfishly for the city of Nashville, I hope Trotz stays with the organization but he will have several opportunities to continue as a coach in the NHL should that be his desire.

Here's to you Barry Trotz! Thanks for 15 years as bench boss; but most of all, for the incredible charity work you've done ...

#ThankYouTrotz

Did he decide to step down? If not this is a horrible decision

I'm a huge fan of his but it was time. Lot of apathy with the long term fans here and it really is time for a new voice. The problem is there is a good chance the team gets worse without him.

Did he decide to step down? If not this is a horrible decision
- Allforhim12

No he didn't and no it's not.

He was a great coach for putting the team on the map. His defensive style helped usher in one of the best defense corps and goalie tandems in the league, but it was never enough.

15 years without a division title.
15 years with only two playoff round wins.

There's more talent on this team than people think. The Preds won't stop playing defense just because Trotz has moved on, but the offense might open up now. It was time. He'll do well for another team with veteran talent. Just don't ask him to be part of a youth movement because he doesn't develop young forwards well at all.

I have such mixed emotions about this.It is hard to not argue that no coach could have gotten so much over the years with so little. Yes the past two years without the playoffs suck, but I can easily give him a mulligan for this year. He is such a class guy and I wish him well. The other side of this coin is the hope that whoever they bring in will get just a bit more out of whatever our team looks like. As fans we always wanted more scoring. Well the past couple of weeks, we've seen a team put up goals as a rate we aren't used to. I love 7-5 games over 1-0.

Good luck coach Trotz and thanks for an amazing run.

Trotz even looks like a (scape)goat, too.

Coaches lose teams after a while. Its best to recognize that as a coach and move on before THEY move you on.

His coaching style never did much to make me want to watch a Nashville game, in fact I have to say I hope he goes on to other choices for income.

Trotz even looks like a (scape)goat, too.
- Only_A_Ladd

Thanks for your input ... incredible hockey insight there ...

Great coach but it happens .. It's exactly what happened here in van last year.. AV is a great coach and we knew that but after such long tenures you gotta mix things up and roll the dice

Time to build a new brand of Preds hockey. Trotz did a good job with the pieces and players that have been assembled in front of him.

I think there is a lot of offensive talent in the organization. Get guys like Jones, Forsberg, Ellis, Wilson to open up their games even more, could be fun to watch with a new offensive minded coach behind the bench.

When our captain stated "Something has to change", that led me to believe that it was time to move on. Sad.

I loved Barry too, but I agree that he stunts the development of offensive talent. Isn't it strange what has happened to goal scoring since David Legwand was traded? He was the protege.

I look forward to seeing Wilson, Smith, Forsberg, Jarnkrok, and others light it up! Our top two lines could be dynamite with the right coaching philosophy.

Our defensemen can take care of business on the back end. Trotz expected them to shutdown opponents and score too. The forwards were there to help shutdown and screen for the shots from the point. Everything down low always looked broken. Nothing was systematic around the net.

He could be a great coach for the defensive core on another team. As a head coach, it will be more of the same no matter where he goes or who he gets playing under him.

No he didn't and no it's not.

He was a great coach for putting the team on the map. His defensive style helped usher in one of the best defense corps and goalie tandems in the league, but it was never enough.

15 years without a division title.
15 years with only two playoff round wins.

There's more talent on this team than people think. The Preds won't stop playing defense just because Trotz has moved on, but the offense might open up now. It was time. He'll do well for another team with veteran talent. Just don't ask him to be part of a youth movement because he doesn't develop young forwards well at all.
- Predaceous

That's what did him in IMO. He ruined a lot of offensive players. If he stayed, guys like Forsberg would get turned into 3rd line scrubs that can't score. The guy can coach defenses like nobody's business, but he suffocates his teams offensively worse than Tortorella.

So who is going to do a better job with the current group of players if Rinne is injured all of next year? Trotz held this team together in the toughest division in hockey, and was dealt crap hand after crap hand by Poile.

Does DP survive?

So who is going to do a better job with the current group of players if Rinne is injured all of next year? Trotz held this team together in the toughest division in hockey, and was dealt crap hand after crap hand by Poile.
- jmatchett383

Whoever comes in the first year will be a throw away....Look at the roster. EVERYONE is signed and untradeable.

The players Poile got, were the players Trotzy wanted. Outside of Hutton & DZ, all the players Poile signed were the type of players Trotzy wanted the team made up of. Grittier, faster, more sandpaper.

The 1 "sniper" Poile got was regulated to the 4th line with a grinder & fighter.

Poile traded a 1 sided Dman for an Offensive Dman, which Trotzy has in the press box.

Does the GM get the players the coach wants?
Or does the coach get the players that the GM wants?

Id say DP gets 1 year.

Whoever comes in the first year will be a throw away....Look at the roster. EVERYONE is signed and untradeable.

The players Poile got, were the players Trotzy wanted. Outside of Hutton & DZ, all the players Poile signed were the type of players Trotzy wanted the team made up of. Grittier, faster, more sandpaper.

The 1 "sniper" Poile got was regulated to the 4th line with a grinder & fighter.

Poile traded a 1 sided Dman for an Offensive Dman, which Trotzy has in the press box.

Does the GM get the players the coach wants?
Or does the coach get the players that the GM wants?

Id say DP gets 1 year.
- buelleo

If Martin Erat is counted on to be your big offensive weapon, then yes, the GM is not giving the coach adequate assets. And STILL, without a legit #1 offensive threat on the team, in the hardest division in hockey, they would have made the playoffs if their goalie didn't miss half the season. But yes, it's Trotz' fault.

Does DP survive?
- slash&smash

He ruined our Olympic team, and now he's ruined our preds with this move. He won't survive for much longer.

head on up to Edmonton, were in need of a good coach

No he didn't and no it's not.

He was a great coach for putting the team on the map. His defensive style helped usher in one of the best defense corps and goalie tandems in the league, but it was never enough.

15 years without a division title.
15 years with only two playoff round wins.

There's more talent on this team than people think. The Preds won't stop playing defense just because Trotz has moved on, but the offense might open up now. It was time. He'll do well for another team with veteran talent. Just don't ask him to be part of a youth movement because he doesn't develop young forwards well at all.
- Predaceous

Say what? This guy has got teams into the playoffs that have had no business being there over and over again

Laviolette watch.

Laviolette watch.
- TheJerseyDevil1

Adam Oates?

head on up to Edmonton, were in need of a good coach
- oilstone

Oh if only .lindy ruff, Dave tippet, trots,...gees why has detroits coach completely left my head? Anyway, if you are letting these guys go your team is in big trouble.

Adam Oates?
- DDM-Coga