Did the Preds make a mistake hiring Trotz as GM?
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Obviously. Guy is a head coach, what qualifications does he have of being a GM anyway? I'm sure he'd have done a fine job for Preds as coach but it's sort of like asking a violinist to play the piano at your concert.
The Peter Principle ~ When a person highly competent at one level is elevated to a position at which they are utterly incompetent.
HockeyThoughts
Delivering The Truth
This question permeates throughout the NHL and pro sports generally.
See: Brendan Shanahan was a hockey player. What qualifications does he have to be the President of the Toronto Maple Leafs.
TheBeerNerd
Registered User
During the Devils broadcast against the Preds, Bill Spaulding hinted that Trotz's signings contradict the style Brunette wants to play. If you have a coach that wants to play a speedy, rush-focused attack, you shouldn't sign two guys in free agency who are on the wrong side of 30 years old.
Giving up on forward youth isn't a new thing, at least. Let's not forget Seattle snapping up Tolvanen.
Giving up on forward youth isn't a new thing, at least. Let's not forget Seattle snapping up Tolvanen.
Nash has always had issues with developing forwards. Fiala, Tolvanen, Tom and co got moved.
Feels like it’s just been Forsberg who developed offensively from them who came up as a rookie.
Fenton was a long time assistant to Poile and didn’t last long in Minny when he got his shot.
Feels like it’s just been Forsberg who developed offensively from them who came up as a rookie.
Fenton was a long time assistant to Poile and didn’t last long in Minny when he got his shot.
StickShift
In a pickle 🥒
When he was first hired—it seemed like they were laying the groundwork for a rebuild (or substantial reset at least).
Then they got ROR and Schenn in that first off-season and it looked like they were going to get some guys to carry the culture during some down seasons.
But then when they had success last season it seems to have thrown them off course. Just because vets like Stamkos, Marchessault, and Skjei fall in your lap doesn’t mean you should do it. Now they are kinda locked in to trying to be competitive with this aging core rather than establishing that next generation of talent.
Then they got ROR and Schenn in that first off-season and it looked like they were going to get some guys to carry the culture during some down seasons.
But then when they had success last season it seems to have thrown them off course. Just because vets like Stamkos, Marchessault, and Skjei fall in your lap doesn’t mean you should do it. Now they are kinda locked in to trying to be competitive with this aging core rather than establishing that next generation of talent.
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It's okay to be moving on from players who ultimately do not fit your organization or long-term plans.
What is not okay is losing valuable assets that are hard to obtain without something of impact coming back.
If I was Trotz, I would be hesitant to use waivers in the future. If I'm the owner or coach, I would ask Trotz for a very open and frank discussion before he puts another player on waivers, especially one like Fabbro or Tolvanen.
He got a good return for Askarov, so that's fine. Tomasino is whatever. We'll see what happens there but I think he's replaceable for a 4th.
I think the better question is: Was it a mistake to pivot to trying to contend vs staying on the rebuild path? In that case, yes, I believe it was a mistake.
What is not okay is losing valuable assets that are hard to obtain without something of impact coming back.
If I was Trotz, I would be hesitant to use waivers in the future. If I'm the owner or coach, I would ask Trotz for a very open and frank discussion before he puts another player on waivers, especially one like Fabbro or Tolvanen.
He got a good return for Askarov, so that's fine. Tomasino is whatever. We'll see what happens there but I think he's replaceable for a 4th.
I think the better question is: Was it a mistake to pivot to trying to contend vs staying on the rebuild path? In that case, yes, I believe it was a mistake.
Tolvanen has 6 points in 22 games this year. It's too early to say if Trotz made a mistake with that player or any of them.
Maybe Trotz wants to establish a culture above all else and go from there? And losing a few depth players along the way who don't fit the culture for pennies on the dollar doesn't bother him?
If there isn't a market for the players he's selling then that's an indication that they aren't that coveted.
Many coaches think this way, but GMs typically don't align. Babcock, Trotz, Roy etc.
Maple Leaf
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Pavel Buchnevich
"Pavel Buchnevich The Fake"
Dr Pepper
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Probably about the same as Trotz's ability to be GM - and I don't see Trotz staying right where he is for another ten seasons.
Fabbro/Tomasino maybe seem more valuable as former 1st rounders but at this point it seemed like it was time to move on. Good chunk of the back half of the 2019 1st round cleared waivers in October. They got a 4th for Tomasino while somebody like Raphael Lavoie was claimed on waivers and others (Poulin/Pelletier/N.Foote/R.Suzuki) cleared. Not sure how valuable Fabbro was, maybe you could point to the Liljegren trade but Toronto had to take back an unwanted contract and still only got a 3rd.
I think San Jose got Askarov for a good price, but from a Nashville perspective they did get a decent center prospect (Edstrom) and a (probable late) 1st in return. I wouldn't call that insignificant but probably a trade expedited by Askarov's trade demand.
I agree with this. Something we all wondered about initially, kind of moved past, and now have circled back to. The system style of frantic, wide open, stretch pass, deeply engaged defense...doesn't really hold up to guys who are more methodical possession style players and have lost a step due to age. I think this group has more to offer than they are showing, but I don't know that Bruno is the guy to bring it out of them. The areas OP mentioned also make me question if Trotz is the right guy. He cratered Tomasino's value and Fabbro's so there was nothing in return for them. They may not be his style of player, but if you can maximize their strengths while they are here you can surely get something for them as you work towards finding players that do fit your style.
Hard to know much about Askarov without being behind the closed doors. He obviously thought the team was contending now and Saros fit that window. Also, Saros has been great and will probably be the reason we somehow finish with the 11th pick again, instead of the 3rd or 4th.
I'm holding out hope until the draft. If he trades a first for Trouba, Karlsson or Letang that hope is all gone though.
Brookbank
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They also moved Cody Glass and lost Keiffer Sherwood.
Im surprised Trotz wanted to do this. Welcome to GM'ing Barry.
TheNumber4
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Trotz doesn't seem like a fan of anyone's opinion or data but his own. If he thinks a player sucks or is worth less than what another team is offering, he'll dump them reality be damned. That only works if you're Sam Pollock though, which Barry most definitely is not.
Malkinstheman
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Hes having an all time bad stretch for sure. Brutal free agency and then just been bleeding assets this season. I have no idea what his plan was/is.
HockeyVirus
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It just seems like either a lack of direction or an internal power struggle is happening on the direction of the team. Trotz seems like he wants to rebuild and tank and get a bunch of high firsts. And if I had to guess, either the owners or others in management want to compete and believe in this group.
GeeoffBrown
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TheBeerNerd
Registered User
Waaaaaaaaay too far.
Now, the new Lou Lamariello? That I can get behind, outside of the fact that he doesn't have a decade-plus worth of being good as a GM.
