NHLPA shuts down Predators GM search.

The Nashville Predators are going to have to look elsewhere.

There was significant controversy this past week when it was revealed that the Predators had hired CAA Executive Search to conduct their next search for a general manager following the resignation of current general manager Barry Trotz. CAA however represents numerous players in the National Hockey League through a number of different agents which caused the National Hockey League Players Association to get involved in the matter due to a perceived conflict of interest.

While the Predators maintained that there was no conflict of interest, it would seem that the NHLPA has emerged victorious from this latest dispute.

On Saturday, the Sports Business Journal officially reported that CAA Executive Search has terminated its contract with the Predators effective immediately.

“After a productive call with the NHLPA, CAA Executive Search has ended its contract with the Nashville Predators with respect to the general manager search,” said CAA via a written statement as per the SBJ.

It's hard to imagine how exactly the Predators thought they could get away with this given the high profile nature of the clients currently under the CAA banner. That list of clients includes NHL superstars the likes of Macklin Celebrini, Sidney Crosby, Jack Eichel. Cole Caufield, Quinn Hughes, Patrick Kane, Nathan MacKinnon, Dylan Larkin, Evgeni Malkin, David Pastrnak and many, many more.

It seems the NHLPA was right when it comes to this particular grievance and it now leaves the Predators stuck looking elsewhere. What that might mean for the future of the GM position in Nashville however remains to be seen.