It’s always the fault of the coach†
How many times have we heard that phrase? The players play badly, but that’s because of the coach, like…
Well, on Long Island it’s the… coach who comes from? Pay for the team’s difficult 2021-22 season.
#Islands News: New York Islanders President and General Manager Lou Lamoriello today announced that Barry Trotz has been relieved of his duties as Head Coach.
— New York Islanders (@NY Islanders) May 9, 2022
Trotz has been the Islanders coach since 2018.
During his four seasons behind the team bench, he was knocked out in the second round and then in Conference Final/Third Round two years in a row. All this despite teams that didn’t impress that much on paper…
Unfortunately, the magic didn’t work in 2021-22. The Islands completed a first season in the UBS Arena †Belmont Park) with a record of 37-35-10, good for fifth place in the Metropolitan Division… 16 points behind the Capitals and a playoff spot.
It was GM Lou Lamoriello who showed Trotz the door. He was also the one who brought Trotz to New York shortly after his appointment as president of operations. hockey and CEO of the team. It seems that relations in the locker room and in the offices had become strained… and Lamoriello wanted to bring more offensive hockey to Long Island.
Some conversations on the team suggest that the relationship between the coach and some players (and Lou) may have gotten a little bumpy this season.
That said, a new system could take advantage of the islands offensive play and I suspect that’s part of the reasoning. https://t.co/K7Oycr8mYH
— David Pagnotta (@TheFourthPeriod) May 9, 2022
We do not know at this point what fate awaits the Trotz deputies.
What does the future hold for Barry Trotz?
He could theoretically bounce back at Sunrise, if the Panthers are knocked out by the Capitals in the coming days. Otherwise, he might also decide to go coach at his home in Winnipeg. Let’s say that the interest in the experienced coach will be high. Reminder: The Jets, Flyers and Red Wings do not currently have a head coach, but other coaches could lose their jobs in the coming weeks.
So every available NHL coach has just been knocked down one rung of the coaching ladder.
—Arpon Basu (@ArponBasu) May 9, 2022
But there is no rush. He will get $4 million to stay at home next season.
And since Trotz turns 60 in the summer and he already coached 23 years in the NHL (and another eight years in the American League as an assistant or head coach), the latter could decide to take on a management position rather than to coach. We could understand that.
Clubs with coaching vacancies or considering a change will have Trotz high on their radar. However, some believe that Trotz also has an interest in jumping into a management role. What is certain is that he will have options to consider. https://t.co/rpOVo0Jocb
—Darren Dreger (@DarrenDreger) May 9, 2022
Recall that the Islanders started their regular season with the longest tour in NHL history due to unfinished construction in their new home. Anyway… Lou Lamoriello never hesitated to fire a coach he no longer liked.
Lou Lamoriello fired Claude Julien a week before the end of the regular season when the Devils enthroned the top of the Atlantic.
He is really ruthless with his coaches.— Nicolas Cloutier (@NCloutierTVA) May 9, 2022
I’m not sure the Islanders will be able to find a better coach than Barry Trotz for the next campaign.
Trotz has won the Jack Adams Trophy twice during his career: 2015-16 (Washington) and 2018-19 (Long Island). He also won the Stanley Cup with the hats in 2018.
A lot
– Éric Bélanger should be behind the Lions bench again next season, but with a different team.
Both Eric Bélanger and Pascal Rhéaume said they plan to return next season.
— Andrew Zadarski (@AZadarski) May 9, 2022
– Shane Wright takes part in the lottery tomorrow night.
Tomorrow (Tuesday), projected 1st overall pick, Shane Wright will find out which team will win the . “wins” #NHL Draft Lottery minutes before its Kingston Frontenacs host the North Bay Battalion in Game 3 of their second round series in the #OH playoffs.
— Priyanta Emrith (@HabsInHighHeels) May 9, 2022
– Happy Birthday Ben!
Happy birthday to training #Habs defender Ben Chiarot – now with the @FlaPanthers† He turns 31 today. #HabsIO @mtlgazette photo by Allen McInnis @AllenMcInnis pic.twitter.com/KJvGhBzaaq
— Stu Cowan (@StuCowan1) May 9, 2022
– Norris Trophy candidates: no surprises.
2022 Norris Trophy Finalists, as voted by @ThePHWA: Victor Hedman (TBL), Roman Josi (NSH), Cale Makar (COL).
— Frank Seravalli (@frank_seravalli) May 9, 2022
– Simon Boisvert offered his services to the Canadiens. #AmateurRecruitment
There is at least one person in the hockey world who recommended him to Kent Hughes. https://t.co/UWmHRk4kzm
— TVA Sports (@TVASport) May 9, 2022
– The new sensation of men’s tennis.
Carlos Alcaraz becomes the 5th player in history to defeat Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal in two consecutive matches at the same tournament pic.twitter.com/j8kGunabGE
—RDS (@RDSca) May 9, 2022