Barry Trotz is out in New York after four seasons. The New York Islanders relieved Trotz of his duties as head coach.
Trotz compiled a 152-102-34 (.587) record leading the Islanders. He guided the Isles to the postseason each of his first three seasons. The Islanders reached the round before the Stanley Cup Final in 2020 (Eastern Conference Final) and 2021 (NHL Semi-finals) falling short each year.
This season, the Isles took an unexpected turn, finishing fifth in the Metropolitan Division and missing the playoffs.
Prior to the Islanders, Barry Trotz was the head coach of the Nashville Predators and the Washington Capitals. As the Predators first-ever head coach, he led Nashville for 15 seasons, winning 557 games.
He coached the Capitals for four seasons, culminating in a Stanley Cup championship in 2018. In Washington he took over a team that struggled to get over the hump with Alex Ovechkin. The run to the Cup came in his final year under contract. After negotiations went awry, the Capitals decided to move on from Trotz. He ultimately was hired by the Islanders.
The Capitals have yet to advance past the first round since Trotz’s departure.
His 914 career wins is the NHL’s third-most all-time. Much like in 2018, Trotz will have his fair share of suitors now that he is available. The Detroit Red Wings and Philadelphia Flyers already have openings at head coach. That list is sure to grow.
