Breaking: Stunning News as Barry Trotz is OUT as Predators GM

In a shocking move that comes out of the blue, Nashville Predators GM Barry Trotz is stepping down from the job.

Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet broke the news this morning:

The Nashville Predators will need a new GM. Barry Trotz to step down as their general manager. https://t.co/3LNG1lNTOf
— SiriusXM NHL Network Radio (@SiriusXMNHL) February 2, 2026

Friedman reports that Trotz, 63, is stepping down as general manager and retiring — although he will remain on the job until a successor is found.

“After working for 40 years in professional sports and 26 years in the National Hockey League, including the past three as the general manager of the Nashville Predators, I told Bill Haslam in December that I would be stepping away at the conclusion of my contract at the end of the 2026-27 season," said Trotz in making the official announcement.

"After some discussion, we elected to begin a search for my replacement now, but I am happy to work in my current role until we make a new hire, however long that might be."

The Predators have not had the success hoped for since Trotz took over for the 2023-24 season and had a splashy free agent haul in the summer of 2024, signing the likes of Steven Stamkos and Jonathan Marchessault. The team got off to a dreadful start for the second straight season, but has recovered the past couple of months to get themselves within four points of a playoff spot in the Western Conference.

Still, questions about the future of the team were being asked, as they have to decide on whether or not to sell some of their big assets at the upcoming deadline.

Trotz was also the Predators' first-ever head coach, running the bench from their inaugural season in 1998 through to 2014.

From there, he went on to win a Stanley Cup, coaching the Washington Capitals in 2018, and also coached the New York Islanders after that.