Capitals add Scott Arniel, Reid Cashman to Todd Reirden’s staff

The Washington Capitals named Scott Arniel and Reid Cashman as assistants Monday to Todd Reirden’s coaching staff.

Arniel, 55, is the type of veteran coach the Capitals wanted to add, given Reirden’s lack of head coaching experience on the NHL level. Arniel spent the past five seasons as an assistant with the New York Rangers, but coached the Columbus Blue Jackets from 2010-12.

“Ideally,” general manager Brian MacLellan said last month when asked if Washington wanted to add an assistant with head coaching experience for Reirden. “I think that would be the perfect fit. We’re not going to make that a requirement, but if we found a guy who was like that and who could fit in that role, we would do that, yes.”

Cashman, meanwhile, was promoted from the Hershey Bears, the Capitals’ American Hockey League affiliate. Cashman is just 35 years old and spent two seasons in the AHL as an assistant under Troy Mann. He previously coached at Quinnipiac University, also as an assistant.

Reirden was hired June 29 to replace Barry Trotz, who resigned less than two weeks after winning the Stanley Cup and then was hired to coach the New York Islanders.

The Capitals will be Reirden’s first head coaching job in the NHL, but the franchise viewed him as more than ready.

Assistant Blaine Forsythe and goaltending coach Scott Murray, holdovers from Trotz’ staff, will remain with the Capitals.