The New Jersey Devils made a move that had been on the radar for a while. The dismissal of Tom Fitzgerald was not a real surprise to anyone, especially the Nashville Predators.
The Predators are also searching for a new GM after incumbent Barry Trotz announced his retirement earlier this season. Trotz, a longtime coach and executive, announced he would be calling it quits after this season. That opened up the first managerial vacancy this season.
And it also opened a path for Tom Fitzgerald.
Insider Elliotte Friedman posited back on April 1 (no April Fool’s joke) that, if Fitzgerald suddenly became available, the Predators would be one of the teams that would come calling.
"Tom Fitzgerald was the first captain of the Predators; it seems to me that if he wouldn't be the guy in New Jersey anymore, I think that would be the kinda guy [they] would at least wanna interview."
That sentiment was echoed on Tuesday by another notable insider, Frank Servalli. Servalli mused about the possibility that the Predators had been holding their breath, hoping that Fitzgerald would become available at some point this offseason.
"I wonder if they were waiting all along to see if Tom Fitzgerald would surface, and I believe that was part of the motivation for yesterday's [Devils] release, the timing of it."
The link between the Predators and Fitzgerald is nothing new. Fitzgerald was a former first-round pick of the New York Islanders from the 1986 NHL Draft. He played with several organizations before landing with the Predators in 1998 for their inaugural season. Fitzgerald wore the “C” for the team’s inaugural season until his departure during the 2001-02 season.
As such, there is some history there. Like Trotz, who was the franchise’s first coach, the organization has a thing for bringing back folks who were with the club during its inception.
Now, does this mean that Fitzgerald is a lock for the job? Not necessarily. But the comments from two separate insiders suggests that the Predators may have been holding their breath, hoping that Fitzgerald hits the market.
Fitzgerald could find completely different situation in Nashville
If Fitzgerald were to move on to Nashville, he would find a completely different situation. For one thing, Devils ownership has a reputation for being “involved” in running the team. That was one of the underlying issues that purportedly undermined several of Fitzgerald’s rumored moves.
In Nashville, Fitzgerald would find an involved ownership group, but with a different philosophy.
Bill Haslam took over the majority stake in the franchise in July of last year. Since then, other notable local personalities got involved with the team, like former football coach Nick Saban.
The Predators’ current ownership group would likely allow Fitzgerald to act independently, though it’s unclear how much leeway he would have. If this year’s actions by Trotz are any indication, Fitzgerald could have a long leash.
That said, the next couple of weeks could determine if Fitzgerald and the Predators will indeed become a match. The team figures to fight down to the wire for the final playoff spot in the Western Conference. So, it’s unlikely the organization makes any waves until the season is over, whether it ends after game 82 or the Preds make it to the postseason.
One thing seems increasingly likely: Rumors involving the Predators and Fitzgerald should only pick up steam.