Islanders should not be worried about Barry Trotz contract

There’s one more year on Barry Trotz’s contract. The New York Islanders head coach signed a five-year deal back in 2018-19 with a $4 million annual salary, per CapFriendly. It won’t expire this year but in 2022-23.

The talk about an extension might seem premature (and it kind of is) but nevertheless, Lou Lamoriello was asked about an extension for his head coach. And look, Lou gave the exact answer you thought he’d give.

New York Islanders shouldn’t worry about Barry Trotz’s contract

Newsday’s Andrew Gross was the one who asked the Isles GM if an extension was coming. And well, Lou gave a Lou answer, which was basically “no comment”:

If you know anything about Lou Lamoriello and his dealings with the media this answer won’t surprise you. Lou is notoriously cagey with, well, just about everything. If information gets out it’s because he wanted it out there. Just look at how he dealt with the Isles offseason signings.

So there’s no way he’ll talk about a contract extension to one of the most important pieces of his staff. But, because Andrew asked, should we be concerned about Barry’s contract?

No. Not at all.

We already know that the Islanders will pay him what he’s worth. They’ve already done that when they signed him in 2018-19. Since then, he’s won a Jack Adams, become the third-winningest coach in NHL history, and marched the Isles to back-to-back conference finals.

There is no reason that Barry Trotz should be allowed to leave. If it takes $6 million a year does anyone bat an eye at that price? Even if it’s the highest in the game (according to CapFriendly)? No, of course not. That list of accomplishments since he arrived proves he’s worth it. And of all people, Lou Lamoriello knows this.

There should be no restlessness from Islanders fans about the future of their head coach. They have one of the best to ever stand behind the bench. Lou will keep him around.