Nashville Predators general manager Barry Trotz is backing head coach Andrew Brunette despite the team’s league-worst record. Trotz is putting the responsibility squarely on his players to turn things around.
“I need more f—ing from them,” Trotz told The Tennessean’s Alex Daugherty. “I need more.”
The Predators sit dead last in the NHL standings with just one regulation win in their last 12 games.
Trotz isn’t blaming the coaching staff for Nashville’s struggles. He’s watching the games closely and sees where the problems really lie.
“I’m watching the game systematically. I know who makes mistakes. When the puck is on someone’s stick and they pass it right to (the other team), that’s not (Brunette’s) fault.”
Offensive Struggles Continue
Nashville’s offense remains the biggest concern. The team averages just 2.29 goals per game, ranking last in the NHL.
That’s particularly frustrating given the talent on the roster.
“The confusing thing, the frustrating thing for everyone, is that we just don’t score,” Trotz said. “You look at the names on our roster, we should score more. Because we have (Filip) Forsberg, (Steven) Stamkos, (Jonathan) Marchessault, we all think we’re going to score.”
Filip Forsberg leads the team with eight goals and 15 points in 21 games. Steven Stamkos has managed just five points this season. Jonathan Marchessault has six points.
The defense isn’t much better. Nashville ranks 27th in goals allowed per game.
Those numbers mirror last season’s disappointing campaign. The Predators finished with the NHL’s 31st-ranked offense and 27th-ranked defense, ending up seventh in the Central Division.
The U2 Motivation
Nashville did make a surprising playoff push in 2023-24. The team went 20-5-3 down the stretch after Trotz made headlines by canceling a team outing to see U2 at the Sphere in Las Vegas.
“What did I do a couple years ago when they weren’t playing well? What did I do?” Trotz asked. “I said you’re not f—ing going to see f—ing U2. Then, it became a little of the ‘F-U’ tour, instead of U2. It got them to say, screw you.”
Whether Trotz has another motivational trick ready for this season remains unclear.
The Predators need something to change quickly if they want to avoid another disappointing finish in the Central Division.
