New Capitals coach Todd Reirden said Tuesday that taking over the Stanley Cup champions will be a seamless transition.
Reirden, of course, has been on Washington’s coaching staff for the last four years. He was promoted to the team’s lead assistant in 2016, and the Capitals hired him on Friday.
Reirden said trying to defend the title for his first head coaching stint in the NHL is a “unique challenge.”
“There’s going to be many things that stay the same, but there’s gonna be some things that I think I have to be cognizant of with a team that’s going to be repeating,” Reirden said. “I want to create an environment where players are going to continue to be challenged with new ideas and new ways to improve their games.
“But I still want to create an environment where they are enjoying coming to the rink.”
Reirden spoke with reporters at his first press conference since taking over for Barry Trotz, who resigned last month and then was hired to be the coach of the New York Islanders.
• Matthew Paras can be reached at mparas@washingtontimes.com.
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