Report: Predators to interview Tom Fitzgerald for GM role this week
A man who recently jumped on the unemployment line could be moving to the Music City.
According to David Pagnotta of The Fourth Period, the Nashville Predators are expected to interview Tom Fitzgerald for the team’s vacant general manager role sometime this week.
It was reported last week that Fitzgerald seemed interested in the Predators’ job, which has become available after GM Barry Trotz announced he would step down once a replacement is found. Fitzgerald became available after leaving his post as GM and president of hockey operations of the New Jersey Devils just two weeks ago.
Per Pagnotta, the Predators have been in talks with other candidates, which features names such as former Montreal Canadiens GM Marc Bergevin, Dallas Stars assistant GM Scott White, as well as longtime NHLer and Boston Bruins AGM Jamie Langenbrunner. Pagnotta noted during an appearance on NHL Network Radio on Saturday that the Preds hope to announce a new GM by the end of the month.
Fitzgerald left the Devils after what was ultimately a disappointing season. After making the Stanley Cup Playoffs last year, the second berth in two seasons, expectations were high in New Jersey. However, a variety of factors led to the team finishing well outside of a Wild Card spot. That came after the Devils had an impressive 13-4-1 start to the 2025-26 campaign.
Fitzgerald, who spent four seasons as a player in Nashville from the franchise’s inception in 1998, was GM of the Devils in parts of seven seasons, having served as an assistant GM prior to his appointment in January 2020. He helped New Jersey qualify for the postseason twice, only twice, with the team reaching the second round in 2023.
The Predators are a team in limbo. They made an honest run at a Wild Card spot in the Western Conference, coming a few points short in what has been viewed as a promising season after finishing near the bottom of the Pacific Division in 2024-25. Nashville has a number of notable veterans, including Steven Stamkos and Ryan O’Reilly, and could be a playoff contender if the right moves are made.