New Washington Capitals head coach Todd Reirden said he and Barry Trotz have communicated since the team promoted Reirden to fill the vacancy Trotz left when he resigned.
“It’s important to understand that I’m not here today … without Barry taking a chance on me and hiring me as part of the staff,” Reirden said. “We’ve gone our own separate ways and I think the situation of making a decision that was best for him and his family in moving on. Certainly this is not something we ever envisioned playing out like this.”
Trotz and Reirden both joined the Capitals in 2014; when Trotz was hired as head coach, he hired Reirden to his staff. Reirden was promoted from a regular assistant coach to associate coach ahead of the 2016-17 season, giving him more responsibility.
Reirden thanked Trotz, now the coach of the New York Islanders, several times during his introductory press conference Tuesday.
“Underneath Barry I was able to learn and grow in preparation for a day like today,” Reirden said. “It was always a goal that he talked to me about, that ’I want you to be ready and prepared for an opportunity where it’s your press conference.’ And today I’m able to reach that goal.”
As for his own staff, Reirden confirmed that at least four coaches would return to the Capitals’ staff next season: Blaine Forsythe (assistant coach in charge of centers and power play), Scott Murray (goaltending coach) and Brett Leonhardt and Tim Ohashi (video coach and video analyst).
Director of goaltending Mitch Korn, who has been linked to potentially joining Trotz in New York, is still deciding what the next step of his career will be, according to Capitals general manager Brian MacLellan.
• Adam Zielonka can be reached at azielonka@washingtontimes.com.
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