It’s time for some more NHL rumours. We’re almost into the second round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. However, there is still plenty of chatter on the hot stove. Teams that missed the postseason are trying to figure out the steps to get them back in the tournament. Some clubs have already started the process to make some changes. However, those changes can take some time to materialize.
One team that’s making a massive change this offseason is the Nashville Predators. This edition of NHL runours provides an update on the team’s search for a new general manager.
All NHL rumours come from the original source and are subject to change.
NHL Rumours
Latest on the Nashville Predators General Manager Search
Rumour: David Pagnotta of The Fourth Period appeared on the Daily Faceoff Live podcast and gave his thoughts on where the Predators may head with their general manager search. One name that has jumped out is former New Jersey Devils GM Tom Fitzgerald.
Analysis: Fitzgerald is coming off getting fired by New Jersey before the end of the season. The Devils had designs on making the playoffs, but that fell through. Some may have tied Fitzgerald’s fate to losing out on Quinn Hughes this season. Fitzgerald was hoping to land Hughes from the Vancouver Canucks, but he ended up going to the Minnesota Wild.
New Jersey gave five seasons to Fitzgerald before parting ways with the former Devils player. This was a make-or-break year for Fitzgerald, and it ultimately broke the wrong way.
The timing of Fitzgerald’s firing may have worked out in his favour because Nashville GM Barry Trotz stated that he would step away at the end of the season. The Predators were already talking to candidates before Fitzgerald was dismissed. However, Fitzgerald has seemingly taken the lead in the race according to Pagnotta.
There are other candidates that Nashville is talking to. However, Fitzgerald seems to be who the ownership group led by Bill Haslam is zeroing in on.
What It Means
Much like Trotz, Fitzgerald does seemingly favour veteran players. One issue that he had with the Devils was developing prospects. This has also been an issue with Nashville in recent seasons.
One thing Nashville has concentrated on is loyalty. Hall of Fame rival David Poile was the team’s general manager for many seasons and they transitioned to Trotz, who was the team’s first head coach. Fitzgerald is a former Predators player and hiring him would seemingly go with the trend of staying within the Nashville family.
Some are asking for an outside perspective in Smashville. The Predators have strong links to the beginning of their franchise, but some want some new blood in the organization. Names like Scott White, who is the assistant general manager of the Dallas Stars, and Brett Peterson, who is assistant general manager with the Florida Panthers.
White is the GM of the AHL Texas Stars and has helped in the development in some of the quality players that are on the roster. Peterson is part of a Panthers’ front office that won the last two Stanley Cups before missing the postseason. He’ll also be the general manager of Team USA at the upcoming IIHF World Championships in Switzerland. Both names would be interesting options if the Predators want to get an outside voice.
White and Peterson are both familiar with being part of a front office on a team that has no state sales tax like Texas and Florida. Tennessee also no state sales tax and that could be weaponized much like Dallas and Florida done so. We eagerly await the direction the Predators will go in finding a new GM.
Main photo by: Chris Pedota, NorthJersey.com / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
