Predators players try to cope with Barry Trotz news

Monday was an emotionally draining day for the Predators.

Less than a week removed from playoff-race elimination and on the morning after the disappointing season came to an end, players reported for exit physicals and found out coach Barry Trotz would not return for a 16th season.

Emotions ranged from sadness to guilt, but also to excitement about the opportunities that lie ahead with new leadership.

Here are some of the reactions:

Captain Shea Weber: "Only time will tell if a change was needed. … It is exciting to think about something new and heading in a new direction, but it's still tough right now because it's still fresh that the only head coach I've ever know here is gone."

Forward Mike Fisher: "You kind of feel a little bit responsible. We didn't do our job and we didn't get to the playoffs. It's disappointing."

Forward Patric Hornqvist: "It's our fault that he left. We didn't play good enough for him. He can't be on the ice, he just puts the right players out there. In the end this is our fault that he gets fired, and obviously that's a huge responsibility for us and we have to be better next year."

Goalie Pekka Rinne: "Barry's presence was strong here and his legacy was pretty strong in this locker room and the organization, so I think whoever comes here, it is very important that right from the get-go that he has his own way."

Forward Rich Clune: "It wasn't a fun day, that's for sure. You know that old saying, you can't fire 23 players but you can fire a coach. So (Trotz) took one on the chin for the entire organization."

Forward Colin Wilson: "We were three points out of the playoffs, and if I would have had a better season it definitely could have helped to get those couple points. I know he could have kept his job by making the playoffs, so I'm definitely taking ownership."

Defenseman Roman Josi: "For a guy that's been here 15 years and all he did for the organization, I think everybody got a little emotional. It's always tough to see a guy leave, and he's just such a great coach and a great person."

Forward Eric Nystrom: "He was a big part of one of the reasons why I came to play here and I am really happy to say that I played for him. … Somebody is going to snatch him up right away and have a great coach."

Defenseman Ryan Ellis: "You're taken aback by it and trying to come to grips with it. It will probably set in when they find a new guy for the job, but he was good to us and we tried our best for him. Obviously it wasn't enough this year."

Defenseman Victor Bartley: "Barry was one of those guys that even though he was your head coach you could talk to him as a person. He was great. That made it so much easier to come to the rink every day."

Goalie Carter Hutton: "He was really good to me and he gave me my opportunity to play here and it's tough to see him go, that's for sure."

Defenseman Seth Jones: "I have only been here one year, but I could really feel how emotional it was with David (Poile) and just some of the guys around the room that have been here for quite some time."

Forward Nick Spaling: "It is part of the game, but since I've been here I've had him and he's been a coach for me and I've learned a lot from him. He's a great person outside the rink, he's taught me a lot that way too."

Forward Gabriel Bourque: "He was a real professional to show up and talk to us guys. It was pretty emotional, but it was a good speech and I'm happy he did it."

Defenseman Michael Del Zotto: "Obviously I haven't been here that long, but what Barry means to the community and the organization is quite a lot. He's the only coach that they've had here and it is going to be different, but we have to move forward."

Reach Nick Cole at 615-259-8010 and on Twitter @ncole6.