Lou Lamoriello

The Capitals aren’t in first place in the East Division because the New York Islanders have been playing just as well

The Washington Capitals are 11-2-1 (23 points) since February 16 but are not in first place in the East Division. That’s because Barry Trotz’s New York Islanders have been just as hot over the last month.

Recently, the Isles leapfrogged the Caps for first. With a win over the New Jersey Devils 3-2 on Saturday, the Islanders now lead the Capitals by two points with 40. They have a game in hand.

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By Eliza Kravitz 2 years ago

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New York Islanders officially name Barry Trotz head coach

Just four days after resigning as head coach of the 2018 Stanley Cup champion Washington Capitals, Barry Trotz has found a gig with the New York Islanders. Thursday afternoon the team announced that Trotz, who ranks fifth all-time in NHL coaching wins, would be their new bench boss. Earlier in the day, Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman reported the sides were closing in on a five-year contract worth at least $4 million per year.

“Barry brings to the New York Islanders franchise a tremendous amount of knowledge, experience, and success,” Islanders general manager Lou Lamoriello said in a statement. “He is and has been one of the top coaches in the National Hockey League. I am excited to have the opportunity to work with him.”

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By Chris Gordon 5 years ago

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‘Shocked’ Daniel Winnik Comes to Washington in Emotional Deal for Brooks Laich, Connor Carrick

Photo: Claus Andersen

At around 10:45 pm Daniel Winnik received a call that “shocked” him: he was traded from the from the Toronto Maple Leafs to the first place Washington Capitals. Within a half hour, Caps fans had the a similar reaction when they heard of the transaction. Brooks Laich, DC’s longest tenured athlete, who had played all but one game of his 743 game NHL career with the Capitals, was going the other way. Because of his loyalty to the organization, Laich was making $4.5 to skate on the fourth line. He had scored just one goal so far this season. And the Capitals made a decision to help their hockey team.

“I was a part of scouting him in the beginning, so it’s hard,” Capitals general manager Brian MacLellan, who said the 32 year old’s contract was “weighing us down” in terms of what the Capitals could do this offseason, said. “It’s frustrating, but we had to do what‘s necessary to keep the organization, keep the team going forward here.”

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By Chris Gordon 7 years ago

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