How John Hynes is processing GM switch as Nashville Predators make flurry of trades
How the retirement of Nashville Predators general manager David Poile and the hiring of incoming general manager Barry Trotz affects the future of head coach John Hynes remains to be seen.
Hynes was hired in January 2020 to take over for Peter Laviolette after spending 2015-19 as head coach of the New Jersey Devils. Hynes was asked after Sunday's 6-2 victory against the Arizona Coyotes how he thinks those moves could affect his job.
"To be very honest with you, the last 24 hours has really been about the team," Hynes said after Sunday night's game. "It was a gut-punch with Nino (Niederreiter trade news) to the group. Coming in today and David's announcement and then (Tanner Jeannot's) not playing the game.
"Right now I'm more concerned about the players and the team and the mindset. That's all we can control is what's going on now. I'm really proud of how the guys have handled the last 24 hours."
Trotz called Hynes "a really good coach," but told The Tennessean that, like most everything else with the team, he'll need more time to evaluate him and the coaching staff.
"When I'm asked a question: 'Where is your team going? How long is it going to take?' I'd love to give you a defined answer but you really have to build a culture, an identity," Trotz said. "That's what coaches do. That's what management does. Hopefully I can do that in assessing the coaches. 'Are these the right coaches for the players?' We're in a winning league. If our players continue to improve ... I'm watching some of these young Preds; they're getting better. So the coaching staff is doing something right."
David Poile said Saturday the Predators (29-22-6) are sellers leading up to the March 3 trade deadline, having dealt Niederreiter on Saturday and Jeannot after holding him out of Sunday's game. The Predators are in fifth place in their division, seven points out of a playoff spot.
Hynes had nothing but praise for Poile, the man who hired him, and Trotz.
"David ... has certainly earned the right to make the decision," Hynes said, "what's best for him, what's best for the organization, what's best for his family. ... I'm happy for him that he's in a place where he's able to make that decision and be comfortable with that decision on his own.
"I have a lot of respect for Barry. The rest of the year we have an opportunity to talk. He and I have had several conversations. It's get to know him more and go on from there."
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This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: How John Hynes is processing GM switch amid Nashville Predators trades
