Trotz’s exit after Cup is about respect
Coach Barry Trotz’s resignation as head coach isn’t the best outcome for Capitals players who found their highest playing level under his command in winning the Stanley Cup.
But it might have been the most workable solution for Trotz and Capitals management.
For much of this season, the buzz around the NHL was that this would be Trotz’s last season in Washington.
Trotz’s departure seems to be about money and respect.
Although his contract was expiring at the end of this season, he was not offered an extension beyond one that kicked in only if he won the Stanley Cup, according to a person with knowledge of the contract. The person requested anonymity because of the sensitivity of the issue.
Trotz had a two-year extension clause, with a modest raise, that was triggered if he won the Stanley Cup, according to the person.
The fact that his associate coach Todd Reirden’s contract was extended this past offseason beyond Trotz’s suggestion gave rise to the belief that the Capitals were preparing to move on without Trotz.
Even after general manager Brian MacLellan was given an extension in March, there was no mention of an extension for Trotz, who led the Capitals to the playoffs in each of his four seasons.
Trotz made it clear during the playoffs that he had a special fondness for this group and said after the team won a Stanley Cup that he “absolutely” wanted to come back.
According to Capfriendly.com, Trotz was making $1.5 million, which doesn’t put him among the league’s highestpaid coaches. Mike Babcock is working on a $50 million contract in Toronto that pays him an average of $6.25 million a season. Chicago’s Joel Quenneville is at $6 million a season, and Montreal’s Claude Julien is at $5 million a season.
Trotz is considered among the league’s best coaches, and he wanted to be paid accordingly. That’s where mon- ey melds into a respect issue. The modest raise wasn’t enough.
The Capitals didn’t want to meet Trotz’s asking price, and maybe it afforded both sides with the opportunity to move on.
Even though Trotz genuinely liked the Capitals team and city, he has probably been prepared for the likelihood that he wouldn’t be back. There’s no reason to feel sorry for him in this situation. He is now a hot free agent, and he’s eventually going to receive a contract that will pay him like a top coach.
The Islanders have the only vacancy currently, but he doesn’t have to jump at that opportunity. It wouldn’t hurt Trotz to decompress, take time off and wait for an opening next season. It’s not hard to look around the NHL and see coaches who will be on the hot seat heading into the 2018-19 season.
In fact, it’s not unthinkable that a general manager might decide to dismiss one of those coaches now to hire Trotz immediately. Trotz is going to be out of work only as long as he wants to be.