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Barry Trotz signs on to coach Islanders

Barry Trotz is reportedly on the verge of taking the New York Islanders job. (Getty)
Barry Trotz is reportedly on the verge of taking the New York Islanders job. (Getty)

Barry to Brooklyn.

The Lou Lamoriello-led New York Islanders announced Thursday that they have named Barry Trotz their next head coach. The veteran bench boss will reportedly earn $4 million each season on a five-year agreement, according to Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman.

Trotz left his post with the Washington Capitals mere days after coaching the franchise to its first Stanley Cup championship. The title triggered an automatic two-year extension for Trotz, who dealt with the unenviable reality of coaching without job security for what was a tumultuous, yet triumphant, season in Washington.

Though both sides were interested in continuing their partnership following their championship run, Trotz’s automatic extension was earmarked for a salary that came in well below market value at $1.8 million each year. When they were unable to agree to terms on a deal that would see Trotz’s freight compare more favourably to the higher class of NHL coaches, Trotz, now suddenly with leverage, decided to pursue other opportunities.

The Islanders were the only team with a head coaching vacancy at the time, but reports suggested that other teams expressed interest in Trotz after his exit from Washington.

Though he’ll be paid handsomely for the next half decade, Trotz is taking a leap of faith, of sorts, with his decision to join the Islanders. With John Tavares scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent on July 1, the franchise could be set back for the duration of its new coach’s tenure should the captain opt to explore another opportunity himself.

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