Washington Capitals, Pittsburgh Penguins, Game Six, Todd Reirden
Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images

Lou Lamoriello intends to have the New York Islanders next head coach in place before the NHL Draft begins on June 22.

Lou Lamoriello’s influence began spreading through the New York Islanders organization the second he took control, and now the Hall of Fame executive will have his first managerial hire in place by next week.

Lamoriello reportedly wants to have his head coach in place in time for the NHL Draft next week, according to Chris Botta of SNY. Besides the importance of preparing for the NHL Draft next week, July 1 is creeping closer and closer and if the Islanders have any intention of shoring up their defense, they will need a head coach in place if they’re to pursue the likes of John Carlson.

The hiring of Lamoriello has spawned potent rumors of Scott Stevens’ candidacy to join the Islanders coaching staff, but highly unlikely as the head coach. Stevens’ resume consists of assistant coaching positions on the New Jersey Devils and Minnesota Wild, so if Stevens joins, it’s likely to serve as an assistant to the head coach to be.

Lamoriello’s praise for Stevens’ coaching ability was best documented in his comment to Michael Russo of the Minneapolis Star-Tribune:

“He’s a student of the game and has an incredible way of explaining things to defensemen, whether they’re skilled, physical, defensive, so they understand. He touches all the right points with very few words.”

As for a New York Islanders-Barry Trotz marriage, the future is uncertain after Game 5. It appeared the relationship between the two had reached its peak after the Caps were down 2-0 in the first round of the playoffs, but since then, everything has gone their way.

The inclination is if Trotz departs, Todd Reirden will be first in line for the position. But what happens if Trotz is re-signed long-term? Reirden has been sought-after before, namely when the Florida Panthers and Buffalo Sabres had coaching vacancies.

Plus it’s worth noting that around this time last season, the Capitals did not allow interviews with Reirden regarding vacant coaching positions. Clearly, Reirden has been in line for something with the Capitals, and if the time is not now then it could be time for him to move onto another organization, and right now no other team but the Islanders have the vacancy necessary.

Whether it’s Scott Stevens, Barry Trotz, Todd Reirden, or even Dave Tippett, the Islanders next head coach will be in place by next week, and the swift wave of change is arriving not a moment too soon for the revitalized Islanders.

Grew up a diehard Islanders and Mets fan based out of Northern New Jersey. Concluding my Broadcast Communications degree at William Paterson University. WP Sportsdesk member, Stan Fischler correspondent, music buff and total Star Wars freak. Follow my social media handles to learn more. Matt Di Giacomo is a Staff Writer for the Islanders on Elite Sports NY. He encourages team discussion. Tweet him @mdigiacESNY and check out his reviews on YouTube.