Nashville Predators president of hockey operations and general manager David Poile will retire from his role with the team on June 30, the team announced Sunday.
This ends a 26-year run for Poile as the Predators' architect but he is expected to remain in a consulting role with the team.
"This is a decision that is best for me personally and best for the Nashville Predators," Poile said in a team release. "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.
Nashville also announced that former Predators head coach Barry Trotz will be joining the club immediately but will officially take over as general manager on June 30.
"As we celebrate David for 25 incredible years as our general manager, it is my privilege to, at the same time, welcome home Barry Trotz," Predators President and CEO Sean Henry said in a team release. "These two men have done more to forge the identity of the Nashville Predators and our relationship with SMASHVILLE than anyone else in our organization's history. I don't know if there are words that can adequately describe all that David has done in his time with the organization, taking the team from ground zero with no fanbase to where it is today - 15 postseason appearances, including eight straight, to help create what is recognized as an unparalleled SMASHVILLE experience for our fans.
"Barry, obviously, had a big part in that development too, and we couldn't be more pleased to welcome him home as the second general manager in team history. Throughout that history, we have taken pride in orderly, efficient leadership transitions, and I am pleased to affirm we are doing so again today. We are looking forward to a great future with Barry Trotz as our general manager."
The 73-year-old Poile was hired by the Predators in 1997 to help run the organization when they joined the league as an expansion franchise. In his time with the team, Poile has seen the Predators reach the Stanley Cup Playoffs in 15 of the last 18 seasons.
Before joining the Predators, Poile was the general manager of the Washington Capitals. In his 41 seasons as an NHL executive, Poile is the only general manager in league history to lead two different teams for over 1,000 games and 500 victories.
Trotz was the Predators' first head coach and was with the team for 15 seasons. During his time in Nashville, Trotz had a 557-479-60-100 record.
After leading the Islanders to a 37-35-10 record last season and missing the playoffs, Trotz decided to take a temporary break from coaching.
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