Monday afternoon, Capitals general manager Brian MacLellan took to the podium after the reality-inducing announcement that Barry Trotz would not return as head coach of the team. In the press conference, MacLellan addressed all topics of the job opening, including the “sticking point” for a deal with Trotz and his thoughts about apparent front-runner for the job, Todd Reirden.
Unsurprisingly, both money and term were impasses to a deal, according to MacLellan. Trotz wanted a five-year deal, at a dollar value near other Stanley Cup-winning coaches. The Capitals just weren’t willing to give that to him.
MacLellan just referenced a five-year term as "a sticking point." Trotz was going to be under contract for two more years with the extension.
— Isabelle Khurshudyan (@ikhurshudyan) June 18, 2018
MacLellan said Trotz's representation wanted him to be compensated as one of the top four or five coaches in the NHL.
— Isabelle Khurshudyan (@ikhurshudyan) June 18, 2018
MacLellan is getting emotional. Said he thinks Trotz probably does deserve to be paid as a top four or five coach, but not every team is willing to pay that.
— Isabelle Khurshudyan (@ikhurshudyan) June 18, 2018
MacLellan: "Sports is a business. You want it to to work out. You want it to be a game. You want it to be all fun. But 10 days after you win a Cup, we have to come here and do this, it's not fun."
— Isabelle Khurshudyan (@ikhurshudyan) June 18, 2018
Many have theorized what went down behind the scenes this past season when it came to Reirden. But while some might have thought that the Caps would just give Reirden the job outright, MacLellan noted that the team would want Reirden to actually interview. MacLellan did say that the Caps have been “grooming him” for the job.
MacLellan says #Caps will "start with Todd" as a candidate.. "We've been grooming him".. Says, "if it goes well, we'll pursue him".. Seems like this is the most obvious route.. But not closing any doors.. #ALLCAPS
— Rob Carlin (@RobCarlinNBCS) June 18, 2018
MacLellan says he thought #Caps & Trotz could work out a "shorter term deal to make both sides happy".. Says Todd Rierdan can be a candidate.. Wants a "formal interview".. But says they need to take a beat first.. #ALLCAPS
— Rob Carlin (@RobCarlinNBCS) June 18, 2018
Even with the unexpected resignation, MacLellan was very positive about Trotz’s time with the team.
#Caps GM Brian MacLellan on Trotz resignation: "That was probably the best thing he did here.." on changing the culture. Not that worried about players handling the transition to a new HC.
— 106.7 The Fan (@1067theFan) June 18, 2018
The NHL Draft kicks off on June 22. We’ll have to see if the Caps make any move on their opening before then.
