‘I know what poison is’: Predators’ Trotz responds to reports of negative culture

Barry Trotz may be fed up with the play of the Nashville Predators, but he came to the defense of his team culture.

The team’s general manager responded to NHL insider Frank Serravelli’s comments that “the atmosphere around the Predators is one of the most toxic in the NHL” on Tuesday.

“I talked to some of our key people, and they rocked it,” Tertz said of ESPN Nashville. 102.5 The Game.

“I know what poison is, and I don’t feel like we’re there,” the Predators general manager added.

The Predators responded with an 8-3 loss to the Florida Panthers where they allowed a goal 11 seconds into the game.

Trotz’s frustration may stem from the lack of production from the players the team signed two offseasons ago. Steven Stamkos and Jonathan Marchessault joined the team over the summer in 2024 and both have seen their numbers drop while Nashville has struggled.

The Predators sit at the bottom of the standings with a league-worst 51 goals (2.32 per game).

If the team doesn’t make it quickly, Trotz says he’s going to make changes.

“My goal would be to maybe see if we can find a situation where maybe a young forward or a defenseman can flip-flop a little bit, maybe with another team, and allow some of our young guys to come in,” Trotz said.

“You’re going to see (Reid) Schaefer, (Joakim) Kimmel, (Cole) O’Hara, and maybe David Edstrom,” Trotz added. “Players like that, and obviously Tanner Molundic, and Ryan Ufko had a really good year this year, coming in and playing games for us.”