Barry Trotz receives standing ovation in return to Nashville (Video)

By Vinnie Criscenzo | Jan 17, 2015

Jan 16, 2015; Nashville, TN, USA; Washington Capitals head coach Barry Trotz waives to the crowd following a video tribute as the former head coach of the Nashville Predators during the first period at Bridgestone Arena. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports /

Barry Trotz received a standing ovation from the Nashville faithful.

If there was any speculation of bad blood between Barry Trotz and the Nashville Predators, those speculations were thrown out the window last night.

Barry Trotz was head coach of the Predators from their inception into the league and for 17 years after. He came into Nashville and gave the Predators the identify of always being an honest, hard-working team. He brought Nashville to the playoffs in just their sixth year in existence, and six more times after that, making it to the second round of the playoffs twice. Trotz even won the Jack Adams award for coach of the year twice during him time with the Predators.

However, after making it to the second round of the playoffs two years in a row in 2011 and 2012, Nashville struggled the following two seasons. They failed to make the playoffs each of the next two seasons, and seemed to be trending in the wrong direction. It seemed like it was finally time for a change in Nashville

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After 17 years and being the only head coach that the Predators have known, Nashville decided to part ways with Barry Trotz after the 2013-14 season.

The Nashville Predators hired veteran head coach Peter Laviolette to replace Barry Trotz in Nashville, while Trotz found a new home with the Washington Capitals. Both teams seemed to go with the polar opposites of who they had as their previous head coach. Nashville went with a defensive minded Barry Trotz to the offensively minded and aggressive Laviolette. The Capitals went from an offensive-minded, rookie head coach Adam Oates to the veteran, defensive minded and conservative Barry Trotz.

So far, it seems like both teams are benefiting from the coaching changes. Nashville right now sits atop the entire NHL, while Washington sits third in the Metropolitan division.

Thursday night, it would be the first time Barry Trotz would return to Nashville since becoming the head coach of the Capitals.

If you thought there would be an animosity from Trotz, you would be completely inaccurate. During a press conference, Trotz gave a very emotional speech about how special his time in Nashville was and that he will always consider Nashville home.

During a TV stoppage in the first period, the Predators gave their appreciation of Trotz right back by showing a video tribute for their former head coach, thanking him and his staff for all that he did for the organization. The crowd responded by giving Trotz an astounding standing ovation. Trotz seemed to get a bit emotional and gladly received the ovation from the fans.

A tremendous demonstration of class between Barry Trotz and the Nashville Predators.

H/T to USA Today Sports for the videos.

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