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Tuesday 19 June 2018

Trotz resigns as coach of Stanley Cup-winning Capitals

By STEPHEN WHYNO been able to coach out of ing a move to hire him. Trotz
AP Hockey Writer the second round yet ei- has the fifth-most victories
Less than two weeks af- ther. I think from the organi- in NHL history and has guid-
ter lifting the Stanley Cup, zation's perspective, some ed a team to the playoffs
Barry Trotz is a free agent changes would've had to in 11 of his 19 seasons. He is
and the Washington Capi- be made if we lost in the 762-568-60-134 overall with
tals are looking for a new second round again." the Predators and Capitals,
coach. That didn't happen as a re- and he won 205 of his 328
Trotz stepped down as laxed Trotz played a vital regular-season games (63
Capitals coach on Mon- role in Washington's first title percent) since taking over
day after a contract dis- in franchise history. He sur- as Washington's coach in
pute over salary and term vived a rough start to the 2014.
that leaves the newly mint- season and other struggles Trotz had his fingerprints all
ed Stanley Cup champi- before he and the team over this championship,
ons without a coach with found a stride in the play- pushing all the right but-
the draft and free agency offs. tons by putting goalten-
fast approaching. General As part of the uneasy ar- der Braden Holtby back in
manager Brian MacLellan rangement, associate net early in the first round
said the Capitals accepted coach Todd Reirden — and making the correct
Trotz's resignation after they who was not allowed to lineup decisions through-
were unable to agree on interview with other teams out the playoffs. He was
terms on a new contract. last summer — remained also a popular coach with
Winning the Cup less than on staff and was consid- his players, helping playoff
two weeks ago triggered a In this March 12, 2018, file photo, Washington Capitals head ered the coach-in-waiting. hero Devante Smith-Pelly
two-year extension for Trotz coach Barry Trotz smiles towards left wing Alex Ovechkin, right, Reirden is now the leading and others find their stride.
that would have given him after Ovechkin's goal in the second period of an NHL hockey candidate to take over for "He changed this team with
a slight bump in salary to game against the Winnipeg Jets, in Washington. the defending champions, family mentality," top-line
just over $2 million, a per- though MacLellan wants winger Tom Wilson said last
son with direct knowledge ting to a coach." Trotz said. "When I came to go through an interview week. "He did a really good
of the situation told The As- Toronto's Mike Babcock to Washington four years process with the former job of creating that team
sociated Press on condition makes the most at $6.25 ago we had one goal in Pittsburgh assistant first. atmosphere. You look
of anonymity because the million on an eight-year mind and that was to bring "Todd's a good candi- three or four years back,
team did not announce deal after coaching De- the Stanley Cup to the na- date for it," MacLellan there was a lot of skill on
the extension. troit for 10 seasons, Chi- tion's capital. We had an said. "We're going to start this team, but there wasn't
"His representative wants to cago's Joel Quenneville is incredible run this season with Todd here, and we've really that team mentality
take advantage of Barry's next at $6 million entering culminating with our play- been grooming him to be a and you can never take
experience and Stanley his ninth full season with the ers and staff achieving our head coach whether for us that away from what that
Cup win and was trying Blackhawks and Montreal's goal and sharing the ex- or for someone else. We'll did for this locker room."
to negotiate a deal that Claude Julien brings in $5 citement with our fans." see how the talk goes with Despite his contract situ-
compensates him as one million after coaching Bos- The 55-year-old Trotz went him and then we'll make a ation, Trotz appeared re-
of the better coaches in ton for nine-plus seasons. into the season with an un- decision based on that. If it laxed throughout the post-
the league, top four or five All three have won the Cup certain future after owner- goes well, then we'll pursue season, even as Washing-
coaches," MacLellan said like Trotz, including Quenn- ship and MacLellan de- Todd, and if it doesn't, we'll ton vanquished playoff
at a news conference in eville three times. clined to talk about a con- open it up a little bit." nemesis Pittsburgh. After
Arlington, Virginia. "I think If Trotz was paid among the tract extension last sum- After the Capitals accept- the Capitals trailed in all
the five-year term is prob- top five, it would have put mer after back-to-back ed his resignation, Trotz will four series and came back
ably a sticking point. You him in the $4 million-plus Presidents' Trophy-winning be an intriguing figure on to win the Stanley Cup,
have a coach that's been range annually — a price seasons that ended with the coaching market. Trotz told fans at the victory
here four years, you do an- the Capitals have not been second-round exits. Only the New York Island- parade last week: "We're
other five, that's nine years. willing to pay for coaches. "We were struggling at the ers have a current coach- going to do it again!"
There's not many coaches "After careful consideration time to get over the hump," ing vacancy, though given Instead, Trotz is looking at
that have that lasting abil- and consultation with my MacLellan said. "We Trotz's success in Nashville the next stop in his career
ity. It's a long time and it's a family, I am officially an- couldn't get out of the sec- and Washington, other and the Capitals are look-
lot of money to be commit- nouncing my resignation," ond round and Barry hadn't teams might consider mak- ing for a new coach.q