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Capitals Rumors: Todd Reirden could be candidate for Kings coaching job

By Dave Stevenson

Jan 11, 2017; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Capitals head coach Barry Trotz (L) yells from behind the bench against the Pittsburgh Penguins in the third period at Verizon Center. The Capitals won 5-2. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 11, 2017; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Capitals head coach Barry Trotz (L) yells from behind the bench against the Pittsburgh Penguins in the third period at Verizon Center. The Capitals won 5-2. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports /
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Washington Capitals assistant head coach Todd Reirden could be one of the top candidates for the Los Angeles Kings head coaching job after they fired Darryl Sutter. 

Late on Monday night, the Los Angeles Kings surprised everyone by firing both head coach Darryl Sutter and general manger Dean Lombardi. They are immediately replacing the latter by promoting Rob Blake to general manager and promoting Luc Robitaille to president.

Why is this relevant to the Washington Capitals? Because they might be involved in finding their replacement for Sutter. One of the top candidates, according to ESPN’s Scott Burnside, could be Caps associate head coach Todd Reirden.

"But what about Washington Capitals assistant Todd Reirden, who was in the hunt for the Calgary Flames job last summer and has coached elite players with the Pittsburgh Penguins and now helping make the Caps one of the most difficult teams to play against while creating the most dangerous power play in the league?More from Stars and SticksAlex Ovechkin will score 50 goals in 2023-24It’s time for Capitals fans to chill out with the Anthony Mantha hateThe Capitals Have Several Potentially Bad ContractsTop 3 Capitals prospects to watch at Rookie CampTop 3 undrafted invites to watch at Capitals Rookie Camp"

Reriden has long deserved a chance at being a head coach. He’s been a key member for the coaching staffs of a lot of great teams. The Capitals promoted Reirden to associate head coach during the 2016 offseason, perhaps to try to keep him as long as possible. While the salaries of assistant and associate coaches aren’t released, it’s safe to say he’s one of the highest paid non-head coaches in the NHL.

He turned down the Calgary Flames last offseason. Assistant head coach Lane Lambert reportedly got interest from the Colorado Avalanche. It goes to show how good the Capitals are. Great teams rarely keep their coaching staffs together for an extended period of time because teams get interested in their assistant coaches.

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Losing Reirden would be a huge loss for the Caps. He’s Barry Trotz’s right hand man and he’s played a huge role in the Capitals defense. However, having Lambert around would make his departure easier to stomach. The Caps nearly lost Reirden last offseason. This time they might not be so fortunate.

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