New York Islanders Barry Trotz Dream Back On

The New York Islanders are the only team in the NHL still looking for a coach. We thought it might be a long shot to get Barry Trotz, but it seems like a window has opened.

We’re the only team in the NHL that needs a coach. After firing Doug Weight the New York Islanders have a big hole to fill behind the bench. Who the Islanders get will be a tell-tale sign to not only John Tavares, but the fanbase, what the direction and aspirations of the organization are.

Go for a coach that hasn’t yet cut their teeth in the NHL and the signal could be interpreted that it was the best the Isles could get, and well see what he can do. Fingers crossed it all works out.

Bring in a coach with significant NHL experience and a

very

recent Stanley Cup ring on his finger and the message is: “We aren’t messing around.”

Barry Trotz, Back On

After the Washington Capitals won their very first Stanley Cup we all figured that Barry Trotz would sign an extension with the team. He’ll stay with what he knows. He’ll stay where he’s been for the last four seasons. Again, they won the Stanley Cup this season. Why leave?

Maybe Washington isn’t ready to pay up on what will be the most coveted coaching free agent since Mike Babcock? Or maybe Barry just wants to see what else is out? Either way, if a window to Barry Trotz opens, the New York Islanders must exploit it.

A tweet from Sportsnet’s John Shannon may indicate that window may have just opened.

Trotz resume isn’t simply “he won a cup this year”. Although that certainly helps. Outside of that accomplishment, his coaching record is mouth-watering. Through 19 years behind the bench between both Nashville and Washington, Trotz has a .564 win percentage.

In his four years with the Capitals, Trotz secured first place in the Metropolitan Division three times and came in second the fourth. He holds a .677 points percentage since 2014-15. The guy just wins.

It’s exactly what the New York Islanders need. Getting him isn’t going to be easy. But the Isles are perfectly placed to do so. Where else is Trotz going to go? Maybe another team kicks out the guy they already have for him. But the Isles are desperate for someone like him, and they can and will pay him whatever he wants.

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Next: Isles Seattle Expansion Mock Draft

The second we heard Barry Trotz wanted to stay we thought the dream was dead. Now, with this tweet from John Shannon, it seems like the dream might just be back on.