Barry Trotz No Longer Head Coach of the New York Islanders

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New York Islanders Lou Lamoriello announced on Monday morning that Barry Trotz has been relieved of his duties as head coach.

#Isles News: New York Islanders President and General Manager Lou Lamoriello announced today that Barry Trotz has been relieved of his duties as Head Coach.

— New York Islanders (@NYIslanders) May 9, 2022

Barry Trotz Relieved of His Duties

Barry Trotz joined the Islanders in the summer of 2018 after helping the Washington Capitals win the Stanley Cup during the 2017-18 season. In four seasons as the Islanders head coach, Trotz had a record of 152-102-34 in the regular season. He guided the Islanders to the postseason in three of his four seasons as head coach. The only time the Islanders failed to make the playoffs was this season.

Not to mention Islanders were coming off back-to-back trips to Conference Finals. Losing to the eventual Stanley Cup Champion Tampa Bay Lightning. First in 2020 in the bubble in six games, then in 2021 in seven games.

While many believed Trotz was the perfect fit for this team, however, when Lou Lamoriello spoke to the media this morning, he was singing a different tune.

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“I believe this group of players needs a new voice,” Lamoriello said. “It is my role to make the best decision for the organization and for the team.”

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Barry Trotz was entering the last year of his contract, which paid him $4 million, but Lamoriello said the decision to let him go had nothing to do with that. However, Lamoriello stated this is more of a hockey decision than anything else.

“In no way is this negative on Barry Trotz,” Lamoriello said. “This is a business decision based on hockey and winning.”

If that is the case, how can Lamoriello justify getting rid of a coach with the best winning percentage in franchise history since Al Arbour?

Whatever his reasons are, he believed it was best for the organization to move on from Barry Trotz. In his 23 seasons as head coach, Trotz has a record of 914-670-60-168. Trotz has a playoff record of 83-79.

In his final season as head coach of the Islanders, the team had a record of 37-35-10. The team finished ninth in the Eastern Conference. New York finished 16 points behind the second and final wild card team in the Capitals.

You have to wonder what is next for Barry Trotz. Does he get another job? With all the openings in the NHL, Trotz has his choice of gigs.