CAPS PROMOTE REIRDEN TO HEAD COACHING JOB

The Stanley Cup-champion Washington Capitals have promoted Todd Reirden to head coach, replacing Barry Trotz. General manager Brian MacLellan announced the anticipated move Friday. Reirden, pictured, had been on Trotz’s staff the past four years, including the past two as associate coach. Reirden was the only candidate for the job after Trotz resigned June 18 and joined the New York Islanders three days later. The 47-year-old had been considered Washington’s coach-in-waiting all last season with Trotz going into the final year of his contract. The former NHL defenceman coached the American Hockey League’s Wilkes-Barre/ Scranton Penguins for parts of two seasons before serving as an NHL assistant in Pittsburgh for four years. Reirden was a finalist for the Calgary coaching job two summers ago. He was in charge of the Capitals’ defence and had a hand in the development of John Carlson, Matt Niskanen and Dmitry Orlov, all of whom played leading roles in the Caps winning the Stanley Cup.