​The Hockey News has released its archive to all THN subscribers: 76 years of history, stories, and features.Subscribe now to view the full THN Archives hereAlso, go to thn.com/free to subscribe.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementWorking In Concert—Sept. 9, 2024—Ken CampbellALITTLE MORE THAN a month after he burned through more than $180 million of his employer’s money in one day, Barry Trotz could be found slinging the nectar of the gods on the night shift in the beer shack at Canada’s National Ukrainian Festival in his hometown of Dauphin, Man.And, really, isn’t that just the most Barry Trotz thing ever? Trotz’s 86-year-old father had his voice box surgically removed over the summer as part of his treatment for throat cancer, and the festival was seeking volunteers. Trotz was getting kicked out of the hospital every night at 8 p.m. anyway, so he figured he’d step in for some family members who were away at a wedding in Brandon and couldn’t make their shifts.It turns out Trotz is really proud of his Ukrainian roots. When he brought the Stanley Cup to Dauphin in 2018 after winning it with the Washington Capitals, his parade was accompanied by a traditional vintage Ukrainian honor guard, complete with members of Canada’s National Riding and Dancing Cossacks. If it were any more Eastern European, Yosh and Stan Shmenge would’ve shown up. (Google it, kids.) When Trotz is asked about his heritage, his response is, “You can’t tell by this round face?”AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementDoubtless, there were several patrons who did a double-take when they realized who their bartender was. Then again, in a town of about 8,000, maybe not. But there were more than a few who congratulated him on his fine work on free-agent day, when Trotz made Nashville as desirable a destination for big-time hockey stars as it is for bachelorette parties.Steven Stamkos, man, that was a big get. So were Jonathan Marchessault and Brady Skjei. Preventing defenseman Alexandre Carrier – signed to a three-year deal worth $3.75 million per season – from hitting the open market was also a tidy bit of business. And hey, if you’re in for a bazillion, you might as well extend goalie Juuse Saros – who, for months, seemed on his way out of town – to an eight-year contract extension that’s worth $7.7 million per season and kicks in next fall.But it was the acquisition of Stamkos that generated most of the excitement and best represented the Predators’ reversal of fortunes. A year ago, with Mattias Ekholm, Tanner Jeannot and Mikael Granlund all dealt within a week of the 2023 trade deadline, neither Trotz nor the Predators were pulling the wool over anyone’s eyes. “I was very transparent with everybody when I took the job,” Trotz said. “We tried to burn it down.”But now, just months after overachieving in the regular season and then again in the playoffs, Nashville has pivoted and is accumulating the assets to be a legitimate