Photo: SN

According to Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman, former Washington Capitals GM David Poile will retire from the role with the Nashville Predators on June 30. It is believed that he will be replaced with former Washington and Nashville head coach Barry Trotz. Poile will remain in Nashville’s organization in a consulting role.

“This is a decision that is best for me personally and best for the Nashville Predators,” Poile said in a statement released by the organization. “For the Predators, I believe it is time for a new voice and a new direction. I am proud of the foundation we have put in place in our hockey operations, investing in and improving every area of the department. This is the right time for someone else to move our franchise forward.

“I am incredibly proud of everything the Predators organization has accomplished in my time here – all the wins, our appearance in the Stanley Cup Final and winning the Presidents’ Trophy, but I am most proud of helping develop SMASHVILLE into one of the best hockey markets in the National Hockey League. And, while I will always be fiercely proud of those accomplishments, I will remain committed in my new role to help us achieve our ultimate goal of winning the Stanley Cup.

“I would like to thank all the players, coaches, trainers and scouts I have had the pleasure of working with; all of the employees in the organization’s history; Craig Leipold, Tom Cigarran, Herb Fritch, Sean Henry; and all of our owners. Their dedication and commitment to the Predators and the growth of the game in Middle Tennessee has been unparalleled. Most of all, I want to thank our fans for making the Predators a piece of the fabric of Nashville, transforming our city into SMASHVILLE. I appreciate all the passion and support over the last 25 years.”

Big breaking story out of Nashville: after 26 years as the Predators’ architect — the most consistent presence in franchise history — David Poile is retiring from President of Hockey Operations & GM position, effective June 30. Expectation is he will remain in a consulting role.

— Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) February 26, 2023

Trotz has a 914-670-60-168 record in 23 seasons as an NHL head coach with Nashville, Washington, and the New York Islanders and ranks fourth all-time in wins. He is 83-79 in the postseason.

“My heart has been in Nashville since that first season in 1998-99,” Trotz said. “I believe our team and our fanbase has developed a relationship that is very unique in sports today, and I am excited to be returning home to the organization and the city where I held my first head coaching job in the NHL. I can’t thank David enough, not only for turning over the job to me, but for teaching me so much over the past 40 years. I believe I am prepared to succeed as an NHL general manager, and I have David to thank for that. I will work hard as a member of David’s team for the next four months, and when I become GM on July 1, I pledge to do everything I can in leading our franchise to its first-ever Stanley Cup.”

In four seasons with Washington, Trotz went 205-89-34, good for a .677 point percentage. Trotz won the Jack Adams Award as coach of the year in 2015-16 and guided the Capitals to consecutive Presidents’ Trophies in 2015-16 and 2016-17. He led Washington to the franchise’s first Stanley Cup in 2017-18 and three consecutive Metropolitan Division titles.

Barry Trotz is believed to be Poile’s successor. Starting work immediately…although not officially the GM until June 30

— Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) February 26, 2023

Trotz resigned as Washington head coach after a previously agreed upon two-year contract extension worth $1.8 million per season kicked in but he wanted a raise while the organization wanted him to commit to the contract he already agreed to.

New York fired Trotz after missing the postseason for the first time in his four-year tenure on Long Island last season. He spoke to the Philadelphia Flyers, Winnipeg Jets, Detroit Red Wings, and Vegas Golden Knights about a head coaching job before ultimately deciding to take some time away from the sport. Trotz also discussed a management role with Nashville last summer.

“As I prepare to move on from my day-to-day role with the Predators, I can’t think of a better choice to lead us in the future than Barry Trotz,” Poile said. “We started working together 40 years ago, and I believe he has prepared himself to become one of the league’s great general managers. I don’t know if anyone in the game today is more respected than Barry, and we are thrilled he has elected to become our next GM. I will help him in any way that I can, happily cheering him on as he drives our club toward the Stanley Cup.”

Poile began his career in the NHL as an Administrative Assistant with the then expansion Atlanta Flames in 1972. Five years after joining Atlanta, he was named as the assistant general manager.

Poile left Atlanta to become the vice president and general manager of Washington. He served in that capacity for fifteen years. During his time in Washington, the Capitals amassed a 594-454-124 record under his management.

After working in Washington, Poile took the position with then-expansion Nashville in 1997 and has been there ever since.

By Harrison Brown