Nashville Predators Enter a New Era

The Nashville Predators enter a new era in the team’s history as Barry Trotz takes over as General Manager going into the 2023-24 season.

2022-23

Record: 42-32-8 (92 pts) – 5th in Central

Playoffs: Did Not Qualify

Key Losses

Ryan Johansen (F – COL), Matt Duchene (F – DAL), Mark Borowiecki (D – Retired), John Hynes (Head Coach), David Poile (General Manager)

Key Additions

Ryan O’Reilly (F), Luke Schenn (D), Gustav Nyquist (F), Denis Gurianov (F), Andrew Brunette (Head Coach), Barry Trotz (General Manager)

2023-24 Preview

The Nashville Predators had a mixed performance during the 2022-23 NHL season. They finished with a record of 42-32-8, accumulating a total of 92 points. This placed them in 5th place in the Central Division. Unfortunately, the Predators did not qualify for the playoffs.

New Vision

At the conclusion of the 2022-23 season David Poile, the franchise’s only General Manager in team history, would retire, and Barry Trotz would take over as the new GM. With Trotz taking over the Predators, he would look to put his stamp on the organization. One of the first moves Trotz would do is relieve John Hynes as head coach, and name Andrew Brunette the new head coach. The moves would be symbolic to the Predators. Trotz was the first coach in Predators history, and Brunette was on the inaugural team and scored the franchise’s first career goal.

Personnel Changes

With Trotz overseeing the personnel, changes were bound to be made. Starting on offense, forwards Matt Duchene and Ryan Johansen were bought out and traded respectively. Inbound, Trotz would sign forwards Ryan O’Reilly, Denis Gurianov, and Gustav Nyquist. On defense, Trotz would add some grit by signing defenseman Luke Schenn. With these personnel changes, Trotz is looking to improve the Predators’ offense, which ranked 28th last season, and powerplay (27th).

While the previous season did not result in a playoff appearance, the Predators are determined to bounce back and make a strong push for the postseason in the upcoming 2023-24 season.

Read our other 2023-24 Team Previews: ANA, ARI, BOS, BUF, CAL, CAR, CHI, COL, CLB, DAL, DET, EDM, FLA, LA, MIN, MON

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