Seattle Kraken Announcement Evokes Expansion Memories for Trotz

There were a lot of nautical puns floating around as the Seattle Kraken were introduced as the NHL's 32nd franchise on Thursday.

Even Islanders Head Coach Barry Trotz got in on it.

"I expect the Kraken to make waves if you will," Trotz said via a Zoom call with reporters.

Jokes aside, Trotz could relate to the Seattle name and jersey launch, as he helped bring the expansion Nashville Predators to life in the late 90s. Trotz was hired by the Predators on August 6, 1997, over a full year before the Preds made their on-ice debut on October 10, 1998.

So what does a coach do without a team for a full year? A lot.

"We were part of the process for everything," Trotz said. "From the expansion draft to scouting players, because we didn't have a team to coach that year, to being an architect, to figuring out where everyone was going to park and security and everything. Ordering fitness equipment, hiring people. It was a really great process."

Trotz, who wound up coaching 15 seasons and 1,196 games with the Preds, said he had input on the team name and even the color scheme in the team's dressing room.

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"Everything from helping them put a staff together, understanding how [GM] David [Poile] built that, color scheming in our dressing room, designing and wearing a lot of different hats," Trotz said. "It is a lot of work and it never felt like you were going to work because it's a really fun process. What Seattle did today and being in the league, it was very impressive. It'll be a really good franchise, a good hockey market and great ownership and leadership there."

Coaches often get bogged down in the day-to-day of managing their players, planning practices, scouting opponents and looking after staff. It's demanding job and there's a reason they only look as far as the next game. Trotz said it was a refreshing perspective to take a long-term view of a franchise.

"I don't think you'd get an opportunity to be a part of that in any other way," Trotz said. "It was fantastic. I loved that process. It gave me a bit of understanding. As a coach, you just see the day in front of you, but being a part of the whole project if you will with David, you have to look longer term."

Trotz said it was not only one of the most unique experiences he's had in hockey, but one of the most fun. His advice to the current team in Seattle, who will join the league for the 2021-22 season, was to enjoy the moment.

"It was fun," Trotz said. "It's a big day for Seattle and welcoming them to the league. I'll tell you what. The first year in the league as an expansion franchise, you won't have more fun. Everything is brand new. The players are brand new. The staff is brand new. The facilities are brand new and there are no expectations. You learn so much about that and they come together.

"Being a part of all of those steps," he added. "I wouldn't trade it for the world."