Predators 'not contemplating' coaching change, GM says

The Nashville Predators are not planning to make a coaching change, but could make roster changes via trades, general manager David Poile said Thursday.

"Right now, that is not in my game plan," Poile said during an interview by the Midday 180 Show on 104.5 The Zone in Nashville, responding to a question about the status of coach Peter Laviolette. "I met with [Laviolette] this morning. We had a long talk about lots of different situations going forward. I'm not contemplating making any coaching change at this time."
The Predators (18-15-6) have lost three straight games, including 4-2 to the Dallas Stars in the 2020 Bridgestone NHL Classic at Cotton Bowl Stadium on Wednesday, a game Nashville led 2-0 late in the second period.
When Laviolette was asked after the game whether he was feeling any pressure, he told The Athletic, "I'm not getting into that right now."
After allowing four goals on 35 shots, Nashville goalie Pekka Rinne said, "We're in trouble right now."

The Predators are four points behind the Edmonton Oilers for the second wild card into the Stanley Cup Playoffs from the Western Conference and could become sellers before the 2020 NHL Trade Deadline at 3 p.m. ET on Feb. 24 if their situation doesn't stabilize.
"We've really got some soul searching to do right now," Poile said. "I have to do some real thinking about where we're going for the rest of this year. I think there's a lot of people that I want to talk to about different things. Right now, we're not in the playoffs and I'm open for business, if you will.
"I think the standings are so close right now that when things get closer to the trade deadline, you'll could possibly see more action. I guess the point I'm saying today is, sitting here outside of the playoffs, we have for the last several years been buyers at the trading deadline. If we don't improve here shortly, we might be a seller for the first time in a number of years.
"I'm hoping that's not the case, but as I said, I am open for business and I'm certainly going to be willing to listen to different teams' thought processes on any of our players at this point."
The Predators visit the Los Angeles Kings at Staples Center on Saturday (10:30 p.m. ET; FS-W, FS-TN, NHL.TV).