Washington Capitals right winger Brett Connolly figured that if coach Barry Trotz didn’t return to the team after leading the Capitals to their first Stanley Cup title, he would have a myriad of suitors.
“He’ll get picked up pretty quick, I think,” Connolly said June 13 as players cleaned out lockers for the summer.
With Trotz’s resignation Monday, he becomes an intriguing option for teams. Only one team in the NHL currently has a head coaching vacancy — but Trotz’s decision could influence more moves.
Among the potential landing spots for Trotz:
New York Islanders
The Islanders are the only team in the league with an opening, and a coach of Trotz’s caliber will warrant interest. President of hockey operations and general manager Lou Lamoriello said earlier this month that the Islanders are “going to get the best coach available,” according to the New York Post. With a .677 winning percentage during his four years in Washington and a Stanley Cup title, Trotz may well be the best coach on the market.
Edmonton Oilers
Edmonton head coach Todd McLellan was on the hot seat during the season as the Oilers, an early favorite by many to challenge deep into the playoffs, missed the postseason altogether. But McLellan is still in charge of the Alberta, Canada, club. Monday’s news could change that.
Minnesota Wild
The Wild have made it to the playoffs in each of the last six seasons but haven’t been able to get over the second-round hump — a mirror, in some ways, of the Capitals’ years of playoff futility. Bruce Boudreau, who led Washington for five seasons, now coaches Minnesota. If they want Trotz, the Wild would have to cut Boudreau’s tenure short with two years remaining on his deal.
Chicago Blackhawks
Coach Joel Quenneville is practically a legend in Chicago, having won three Stanley Cups. But after a title in 2015, Quenneville, who has been in charge since 2008, couldn’t guide the Blackhawks out of the first round for consecutive seasons and finished last in the Western Conference’s Central Division this year. With that downward trend, perhaps Chicago makes an unexpected move.
Seattle (expansion team)
The Seattle expansion team still doesn’t have a nickname yet, nor has it obtained official NHL approval, though signs point toward it. If added to the league, Seattle would likely start play in 2020. Trotz began his coaching career leading the Nashville Predators in their inaugural season in the NHL in 1998. On Feb. 1, Trotz said he enjoyed his chance to coach an expansion team. “When you’re an expansion group, you love coming to the rink every day. Because it’s fun,” Trotz said. Trotz could have a year off to help shape Seattle’s franchise and have another chance at managing an expansion team.
• Andy Kostka can be reached at akostka@washingtontimes.com.
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