Islanders hire Barry Trotz

Stanley Cup-winning coach could be headed to Downtown Brooklyn

June 21, 2018 By John Torenli, Sports Editor Brooklyn Daily Eagle

Barry Trotz is on the verge of inking a five-year, $20 million pact to become the new head coach of the New York Islanders, just two weeks after helping the Washington Capitals win their first-ever Stanley Cup. AP Photo by Bill Sikes

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Barry Trotz is going from lifting the Stanley Cup two weeks ago to trying to lift the New York Islanders back to their former glory.

The former Washington Capitals head coach, fresh off capturing that organization’s first-ever NHL championship, was reportedly nearing a five-year, $20 million deal to become the man in charge here in Downtown Brooklyn, according to several sources, including TSN’s Darren Dreger, and now his hiring is official.

Trotz walked out on a built-in, two-year team option in Washington, which would have paid him approximately $3 million total to remain with the Capitals after they knocked off the expansion Las Vegas Golden Knights in Game 5 of the Stanley Cup Finals on June 7.

The contract dispute opened the door for Islanders team president and general manager Lou Lamoriello to swoop in and hire Trotz after he fired both GM Garth Snow and head coach Doug Weight on June 5.

The architect of three Stanley Cup championships in N.J., Lamoriello prudently waited to see how things would shake out between the Capitals and Trotz before filling the spot behind the bench.

Now, he will bring in a coach fresh off a brilliant four-year run in Washington, D.C., where he guided the Caps to four consecutive 100-plus point seasons, three straight Metropolitan Division titles and, of course, the hoisting of Lord Stanley’s Cup earlier this month in our nation’s capital.

Though neither Trotz nor the Islanders was commenting on the hiring as of Thursday afternoon, the official announcement was expected to be made some time Thursday night or early Friday, just before the NHL Draft kicks off in Dallas.

Trotz’ hiring could serve as an important lure for team captain and two-time Hart Trophy finalist John Tavares to remain with the only franchise he has ever skated for.

The Isles’ first overall pick in 2009 and undisputed leader is eligible to begin hearing offers from other NHL teams next week and will become an unrestricted free agent on July 1.

Lamoriello has insisted that his mission is to return the Isles to serious Stanley Cup contention, something they have not achieved since winning four consecutive NHL crowns from 1980-83.

Bringing in Trotz and finding a way to keep Tavares are certainly two important steps toward achieving that lofty goal.