Barry Trotz will not be back next year as head coach of the Washington Capitals. After 19 years coaching at the NHL level, Trotz won his first Stanley Cup and advanced past the second round of the playoffs for the first time last season. Trotz was a lame duck this season and coming off a four-year deal, which he signed in 2014.
Both Trotz and GM Brian MacLellan stated, at least publicly, that they both wanted to see the fifth-winningest coach of all-time back, but the two sides could find a resolution to their issues.
Early reporting is suggesting the problem between the two sides was money.
Sources: Barry Trotz is stepping down as head coach in WASH. Please follow the thread…
— Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) June 18, 2018
We had believed Trotz was a free agent this summer. That’s not correct. There was a two-year extension if he won the Cup in WASH. But, as coaches’ contracts have exploded in value, it was below the current market. Both sides tried to negotiate an extension….
— Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) June 18, 2018
But they could not come to terms. Trotz is now a free agent, as WASH will grant permission to other teams who want to talk to him. 3/3
— Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) June 18, 2018
Barry Trotz had a clause in his contract where if he won the Stanley Cup he could accept a two-year extension with a $300k bump in salary. Obviously since he was only making $1.5M, low by today's NHL coach's standards, a $1.8-million salary doesn't cut it. So Trotz stepped down.
— Pierre LeBrun (@PierreVLeBrun) June 18, 2018
The Washington Post’s Isabelle Khurshudyan reported that Trotz wanted a raise in the $5 million-plus territory.
MacLellan is talking in six minutes. To refresh: Trotz was under contract because a two-year extension kicked in when he won a Cup. He was getting a raise, but not a big one. Wanted salary comparable of other Cup-winning coaches, which was $5 million-plus. So, he resigned.
— Isabelle Khurshudyan (@ikhurshudyan) June 18, 2018
“After careful consideration and consultation with my family, I am officially announcing my resignation as Head Coach of the Washington Capitals,” Trotz said. “When I came to Washington four years ago we had one goal in mind and that was to bring the Stanley Cup to the nation’s capital. We had an incredible run this season culminating with our players and staff achieving our goal and sharing the excitement with our fans. I would like to thank Mr. Leonsis, Dick Patrick and Brian MacLellan for giving me the opportunity to be a part of this great organization. I would also like to thank our players and staff who worked tirelessly every day to achieve our success.”
The Capitals also released a statement.
Barry Trotz informed the organization today of his decision to resign as head coach of the Washington Capitals. We are obviously disappointed by Barry’s decision, but would like to thank Barry for all his efforts the past four years and for helping bring the Stanley Cup to Washington. Barry is a man of high character and integrity and we are grateful for his leadership and for all that he has done for our franchise.
Beyond his salary next season, Trotz’s likely number one issue for not returning was the status of associate coach Todd Reirden, who was promoted from an assistant coach two seasons ago. As part of that deal, the Capitals prevented Reirden from interviewing for any head coaching positions.
“There are a few issues we have to work on,” Trotz, 55, said when asked if the coaching staff would remain the same next season should he return.
According to additional reporting by Friedman in his latest 31 Thoughts column, Trotz was going to be fired in mid-November, but the Capitals ripped off a long string of wins that saved his job.
It’s rumoured that, after ugly losses in Nashville and Colorado on Nov. 14-16, he was facing the coaching guillotine with a home defeat Nov. 18 against Minnesota, but the Capitals won 3-1, taking 11 of the next 14.
After the Capitals beat the Blue Jackets in the second round of the playoffs, Trotz could be seen telling John Tortorella in the handshake line, “I’m gone. I’m gone. I’m not coming back. I’m gone.”
Trotz is the first coach not to return to his Stanley Cup-winning team the next season since Scotty Bowman retired after the Detroit Red Wings won it all in 2002. Mike Keenan also left the New York Rangers after winning the Stanley Cup in 1994 when he chose to become the general manager and head coach of the St. Louis Blues.
Capitals GM Brian MacLellan will speak to reporters tonight at 6pm.
#Caps GM Brian MacLellan will be available to the media at 6 pm at @KettlerIceplex https://t.co/ctA71Ukejw
— CapitalsPR (@CapitalsPR) June 18, 2018
This story is developing.
