Predators GM Barry Trotz clears the air on talks of firing HC Andrew Brunette amid struggling season

The Nashville Predators are off to a slow start this season, sitting last in the League with 16 points. They have a 6-10-4 record and sit last in their division, led by the Colorado Avalanche with league-leading 33 points.

The biggest concern is their offense; the team scores only 2.40 goals per game, which is not enough. They also allow 3.50 goals per game, which hurts their chances. Filip Forsberg leads the team with 8 goals and 15 points, but the offense needs more help.

General manager Barry Trotz spoke about the team’s struggles this week. He said he will not fire head coach Andrew Brunette, despite the team's poor performance. Trotz said Brunette and his staff are working hard every day.

"Not a chance. A 0.0% chance," Trotz said, about replacing Brunette as coach, via Tennessean.

Earlier on November 20, during an interview on 102.5 The Game, he also said that coaching is not the problem right now. The team needs to improve in many areas.

"I believe our coaches have done a really good job," Trotz said about Brunette. "Our record may not show it, but they are coaching their bu**s off."

Trotz is focused on his general manager role, and he was sure about that when he took the job. He has coached the Predators for 15 seasons in the past. He also coached the Washington Capitals and the NY Islanders. He also won the Stanley Cup with the Capitals in 2018.

Now, Trotz wants to learn the front office side of the game, and he plans to stay in that role. He believes the team needs stability, not more changes.

The Predators made several offseason moves to get better under Trotz in the 2025 summer. They added Nicolas Hague, Nick Perbix, and Erik Haula to the roster. However, Nashville still needs better scoring and stronger team defense. They also need more production from their depth players.

Nashville Predators' shutout loss in the Global Series

The Nashville Predators lost 4-0 to the Pittsburgh Penguins last Sunday in Stockholm. They had only two shots in the first period and fell behind early. Juuse Saros made 18 saves, but the team could not create enough chances.

After the game, coach Andrew Brunette said the Predators did not repeat the good habits from their 2-1 OT win against the Penguins two days earlier.

"I thought all the things that we talked about, that we did on Friday, we did not do," Brunette said, via NHL. "And we knew that they’d have a bigger sense of urgency.”

Pittsburgh showed more urgency, and Nashville failed to match their effort.