Barry Trotz coached the Washington Capitals to their first Stanley Cup championship. It makes sense to bring him back for another few years.
The Washington Capitals have a decision to make over head coach Barry Trotz.
Trotz’s contract expires on July 1, making him a potential free agent. The New York Islanders hired Lou Lamoriello to run the show in Brooklyn. Not a surprise, the Isles have a head-coaching vacancy.
Wonder who their dream candidate is? Try one who has a Jack Adams Trophy, two President Cups and his name freshly engraved on the Stanley Cup. Goes by the name of Trotz.
Trotz and the Caps want to get something done. Washington hedged their bets by not offering him an extension this season while assistant coach Todd Reirden is under contract next year. Feathers were further ruffled when Reirden could not interview for any head coaching opportunities last off-season.
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You know the head coach next season is Trotz or Reirden.
But, if the Islanders—who have the only remaining job available—want to talk with Reiden, the Caps will not hold him back. A great sign for those wanting Trotz behind the bench this fall in DC.
And, why would you not want the skipper who guided the team to their first Stanley Cup championship? Trotz has captured four consecutive Metropolitan Division crowns, those two best records in the NHL and a pair of 55-win seasons.
After 19 seasons, including the first 15 with the expansion Nashville Predators, Trotz wants to continue. At 55, his 762 regular-season wins are fifth all-time. Another 20 wins passes Al Arbour for fourth and a certain date in Toronto for his Hall of Fame induction.
Eight 100-point seasons over the last 13 does not hurt his case either.
Which leads us to money. Trotz makes $1.5 million under his current deal, which is near the bottom of the NHL pecking order. The Washington Post’s Isabelle Khurshudyan reports Montreal’s Claude Julien earns $5 million and Mike Babcock of the Toronto Maple Leafs gets $6.25 million.
It is hard to see Trotz on Babcock’s level, but any push from the Isles gets Trotz a minimum of $4 million.
Trotz is a player’s coach and has the support of his captain, Alex Ovechkin. He told the Post:
"“Yeah, why not? Why wouldn’t you? For me and for all the guys, basically it’s his decision. He have to do it right, and I’m pretty sure he will do it the right way.”"
Whether Reirden comes back if Trotz stays is a thorny issue. It is obvious Reirden is a head-coach-in-waiting. Time will tell if it is in Washington, Brooklyn or some place off the beaten path.
Some palace intrigue to watch from Barry Trotz and the Washington Capitals.