In a shocking move, the New York Islanders have relieved head coach Barry Trotz of his duties this morning, opening another vacancy behind the bench. Trotz had one year remaining on his contract and is owed $4MM next season.
It’s a surprising decision, given Trotz’ nearly universal praise as one of the league’s top head coaches, and the fact that the Islanders had made it to the Eastern Conference Finals in two of his four years behind the bench in New York. When speaking with the assembled media, general manager Lou Lamoriello indicated that he believes the group needed a new voice, and that it was his responsibility to make that change.
Trotz meanwhile will likely be receiving calls from basically every team in the league that has a coaching vacancy, though there perhaps are bigger goals on his agenda. Darren Dreger of TSN tweets that some in the industry believe the veteran coach has an interest in taking on a management role at this point in his career.
What a career it has been for the 59-year-old bench boss. The first head coach in Nashville Predators history, he spent 15 years with the expansion club, taking them to the playoffs on seven different occasions and finishing with a 557-479-60-100 record. It was when he moved to the Washington Capitals in 2014 that things really heated up though, with Trotz winning at least a round in each of his four seasons with the team, and the Stanley Cup in 2018.
The summer following his championship, however, the Capitals and Trotz parted ways, leading him to their Metropolitan Division rivals in New York. Over four seasons with the Islanders, he posted a 152-102-34 record in the regular season and a 28-21 mark in the postseason.
Unfortunately, that success didn’t continue this year. The Islanders finished slightly above .500 but missed the playoffs by 16 points, after dealing with countless on and off-ice issues throughout the season. The team started on a long trip because their arena wasn’t ready, had a long COVID-19 shutdown because of a player outbreak, and dealt with injuries and inconsistency from many of their top players.
Now, as they move forward, it will be with a different voice behind the bench, despite bringing back many of the same voices on it. There’s an offseason for change, but the Islanders already signed names like Cal Clutterbuck, Ross Johnston, and Zach Parise to extensions during the season, and have basically their entire team locked up long-term. Whoever does take over will have the daunting task of getting better results from a similar group, unless Lamoriello makes some significant roster changes in the offseason.
If a team wanted to hire Trotz, they would have to cover part or all of his salary for next season, and likely sign him to another lengthy, expensive deal. That could rule out some markets, though the speculation over places like Winnipeg (his hometown), Detroit, or Chicago has already begun.
WTF! Lane Lambert to succeed him?
Uncle Lou is at it Again
What is a screwy Louie got to do next? Hire Torts?
Maybe Mike Keenan will come out of retirement
Pierre McGuire will be the next head coach of the Icelanders
Dumb, dumb, dumb. Not Barry’s fault they started the season with a 6 month road trip. Two straight trips to the ECF with an overachieving team apparently isn’t good enough anymore.
The Flyers and or the Jets better be on this!!!
Eff that I hope the Wings nab him.
I see a lot of people here didn’t read the article. It says in it that the rumor from Darren Dreger is that Barry is looking for a management position. Read before commenting.
You read the article bro. It says some in the industry speculate that he might have interest in a front office job.
To KRB – I read it. I read the part that said “some in the industry believe the veteran coach has an interest in taking on a management role at this point in his career.”
And I read the part that said. “If a team wanted to hire Trotz, they would have to cover part or all of his salary for next season, and likely sign him to another lengthy, expensive deal. That could rule out some markets, though the speculation over places like Winnipeg (his hometown), Detroit, or Chicago has already begun.”
I put that together and come to a conclusion that while it may not be a 100% chance that Trotz is coaching in the NHL next season, it’s way more than a zero percent chance.
Not a bro, princess. Looks like you did the speculating there
Yes, more than 0% chance of him coaching next season. But less than 100%. Which is why I made the comment, because all the comments I saw speculating on his future were convinced it was 100%. Ergo, they didn’t read the article.
Disgruntled Islanders fan?
Capitals fan. And of course, Barry got us our Cup
WOW !!! Made playoffs first 3 seasons. Schedule and covid did them no favors this year. Seemed like the players liked him ( although who is gonna bad mouth the coach) had 1 year left on contract, figure they give him that to right the ship.
Barzal did not care for him
Barzal has 1 year left on his contract. Getting him to sign while Barry is there may prove much more difficult!
Lou builds a flawed roster then fires the coach when it doesn’t work out. rinse and repeat
Stevie Y on line 1 for Barry Trotz
What a boneheaded move by The Islanders. So they can sign Jeff Blashill??
I truly believe Lou changed his name from Lou Albano to Lou Lamoriello. He Shaved off his beard and shaved his head
Fletcher better get this man or get out of town.
LETS GO REDWINGS !!!! Perfect fit for the next 3 years or so. Thanks Goodness Blashill not re-signed.
I was going to say Jets before I read that last part. Slam dunk. If Chevy can’t get this done, he’s got to be fired, too.
I’m done with Lou, maybe he’ll sign a couple of more 30 something year old grinders who can’t score. I hope Ledecky sees this as Lou passing the blame and thinks about a new GM.
Trotz to Winnipeg
Is he more of a offensive minded coach, could he fix a power play?
already out of the Playoffs for 2023… someone get that dinosaur out of the gm’s chair asap….
This reminds me of Bowman firing Q.
Why would you fire Trotz?
They did Trotz a favor. This mediocre team peaked last year. They’re going nowhere especially with grandpa Lou running the show.
Lou wants Quenneville!! He can do it!
please, please, please come replace that clown John Hynes… A reunion would be great for the preds
Can’t agree with that. Hynes getting this Preds roster into the playoffs is worthy of coach of the year honors. Is there another coach who could get a 40 goal season out of Duchene?
My guess is this has to do with Trotz not bringing along some of the younger players as well as Lou would like to see. Not really totally suprised at this move, especially if Lou already has someone else in mind to replace Trotz.