Barry Trotz is introduced as the New York Islanders’ new head coach via conference call.
When asked why he was interested in joining the New York Islanders so soon, Barry Trotz had two words: Lou Lamoriello.Lamoriello had nothing but praise for the 2018 Stanley Cup-winning head coach in the Islanders official press release:
“Barry brings to the New York Islanders franchise a tremendous amount of knowledge,” said Lamoriello. “His experience and success. 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.”
As the conference call got started, Trotz had the opportunity to answer about three questions when the call was abruptly cut short. It turns out that one of the Montreal radio stations calling in had not left their phone on mute and it was impossible to hear anything Trotz was saying from the other end.
The call was back underway after a brief intermission, and Trotz said he’s been in contact with both Lou & John Tavares, and it sounds like they all share the same vision. Trotz expressed his excitement in joining Lou’s vision for the Islanders and already shared his opinion of the squad.
New faces will be joining the Islanders coaching staff in addition to Trotz, of course, with Lane Lambert and Mitch Korn being the first two candidates to be offered positions next to Trotz on the Isles bench.
Barry Trotz said mandate from #Isles management is to get "best people out there to help us win" when putting together a coaching staff.
Said his staff with Isles will be an organized staff and a teaching staff.— Andrew Gross (@AGrossNewsday) June 21, 2018
Hiring Barry Trotz will begin to open new doors of opportunity for the Islanders as free agency looms large. John Carlson and the Washington Capitals are likely done, so what better choice for him than to follow his Stanley Cup-winning coach to Long Island, the same destination that’s in play for Philipp Grubauer, who wants to become a starting goaltender next season.
On the topic of captain John Tavares, Trotz said negotiations were in ‘great hands‘ and that he’s had conversations with the captain. Even before things begin to take shape as far as the on-ice product, it seems Tavares has been very involved with Lamoriello as far as the organization’s reshaping goes.
Lamoriello said he wanted to have a coach in place before the draft, and today, he delivered on that promise. Now the attention will quickly turn to the aforementioned draft tomorrow and through Saturday, as well as in 10 days when free agency kicks off. The Islanders are equipped with two first and two second-round picks, along with around $17 million in cap space if Tavares re-signs.
With the front office repaired, it’s time for Lamoriello to shake up the roster.
