https://www.nj.com/devils/2024/04/predators-barry-trotz-talks-possible-devils-juuse-saros-trade-gm-tom-fitzgerald-more.html
Not much to add. I just thought it was a good read. Reading between the lines it sounds like Saros will definitely be available this off-season, but the price will have to be right.
by dubgeek
3 Comments
What was the trade for those who can’t read the article?
Transcript?
Transcript:
Barry Trotz’s relationship with Tom Fitzgerald has come full circle.
In 1998, when Trotz was just about to embark on his first ever NHL coaching gig with the expansion Nashville Predators, he leaned on Fitzgerald — his veteran captain — for tips on how to deal with the daily NHL schedule grind and manage players’ emotions.
Now, more than 26 years later, Trotz asks the Devils’ GM for help with a different type of management.
“It’s funny,” Trotz told NJ Advance Media. “I was a rookie head coach in the NHL and Tom was a veteran player, so I relied on him for a lot of things because that was my first foray into the NHL, and he’d already been in the league a number of years.
“I finished my coaching career, joined the GM fraternity and then started reaching out to Tom to ask him for advice again.”
This is one of many connections between the two front office bosses. In an interview with NJ Advance Media hours before the Predators’ 3-2 overtime win vs. the Devils on Sunday, Trotz, who became Nashville’s GM last summer, opened up about his evolving relationship with Fitzgerald, what the transition from their coach/player dynamic to a GM/GM partnership has been like, and even teased a potential team-altering trade between the clubs.
But let’s start at the beginning. Trotz first met Fitzgerald when he was a scrappy 30-year-old wing hellbent on finding success with the brand new team. Fitzgerald, the first captain in Predators history, spent four seasons under Trotz before getting dealt to the Chicago Blackhawks.
Their story doesn’t end there. Trotz schemed against Fitzgerald’s Devils for the division rival Islanders for two seasons before ex-Devils GM Lou Lamoriello relieved him of his duties in 2022.
They grew even more intertwined once Trotz entered the GM realm. First, there was the touching moment at the 2023 NHL Draft, in which Trotz and Fitzgerald agreed to ceremoniously swap seventh round picks in 2023 and 2024 to make sure longtime Predators GM David Poile’s final deal with Nashville was with his ex-captain and coach. This trade, Trotz said, made both men “well up.”
Next came the serious mid-season trade talks in 2023-24. In an interview with 102.5 The Game in Nashville in February, Trotz revealed that he spoke with Fitzgerald about deals for goaltenders — namely 28-year-old Predators keeper Juuse Saros — “all the time.” The caveat, Trotz said at the time, is that Fitzgerald “needs a goaltender” and the Predators “don’t” — which gave Trotz all the leverage.
“(Our trade discussions) were quite honest and direct,” Trotz said Sunday. “I told him exactly what I was looking for and he told me exactly what he was willing to give up. That was sort of it. There wasn’t any dance there. It’s two people that respect each other.
“Unfortunately, we weren’t able to do anything — but that’s not to say that we won’t.”
Pressed further on this, Trotz said he “absolutely” anticipates discussions about a Saros deal to pick up where they left off, but adds that he has “no problem staying status quo” with Saros and stud goalie prospect Yaroslav Askarov. In his post trade deadline press conference, Fitzgerald said he plans on going “big game hunting” for a goaltender this offseason.
“We’re always willing to listen, but also we really like our goaltending,” said Trotz.
***
Last year’s coaching snag must be mentioned when discussing the Fitzgerald and Trotz connection.
In May 2023, Trotz named Andrew Brunette, Fitzgerald’s teammate in Nashville in 1998 and the Devils’ associate coach in 2022-23, the fourth coach in Predators history. With a Jack Adams finalist nod two seasons ago and historic season in New Jersey under his belt, Brunette was a hot coaching commodity — and Trotz knew he had to rope him in.
Trotz said the choice wasn’t easy — even stating that he considered keeping John Hynes, another ex-Devil, behind the bench after his decent finish to 2022-23 — but a strong desire for change and structure forced his hand.
“Hynes had done such a good job at the end of the year, but I wanted to change the way we played a little bit,” he said “I wanted to change our thinking. We’ve always been a solid defensive team and good goaltending, but I wanted a new offensive mind — someone who thought a little differently.
“So, I asked Andrew to become our coach… Sometimes you have to do what you gauge is right and not necessarily what looks popular. And so I did. And Andrew’s done a wonderful job.”
Oh, how things have changed since then. The Predators — who expected retool before 2023-24 — are seeing a meteoric rise under Brunette, coasting with a 45-29-4 record, which puts them on the cusp of clinching a Western Conference playoff spot.
Compare that to New Jersey, who extended coach Lindy Ruff in October before firing him in May, and you get two very different stories. The Devils, winners of 52 games last season, are having a wildly disappointing year, sitting five points out of a playoff spot (37-36-5 record) with four games to go.
Of course, hindsight is 20/20 with Fitzgerald’s choice to pass on Brunette. The 64-year-old Ruff was fresh off a franchise-best 112 point season and a second round playoff run, after all. But after watching how successful Nashville has been, one thing is clear: Fitzgerald must find the next Brunette when searching for a coach this summer.
Ever a coach, Trotz offered advice to Fitzgerald about navigating a coaching search on Sunday.
“Well, I think first, you have to know what style of game you want to play. If you’re looking for more offense, looking for more defense or you’re looking for a little more structure,” Trotz said. “Second, I think it’s got to be a personality that is willing to see the big picture. And you have to be able to communicate on a daily basis — with full buy-in from both sides. Sometimes when a GM and coach don’t talk anymore, it’s never a good thing. So you need support.
“With Andrew, he fixed the lineup in a way that we don’t care how much you make and we don’t care what status you have. We care if you’ve played well and if you deserve to be in the lineup.”