Even though I know nothing about hockey and have never seen a game before, the other day I had an rare flash of insight and I wrote this in regards to the Barry Trotz situation:
But now it's kind of awkward because Trotz knows he was gone. They of course have to welcome him back,since he did win the Cup. But they probably don't want him, or at least if they do, they seem like phonies about it.
I expected that Trotz would walk for a huge pay-day on a different team. But now it seems like he is going to stay.
It will be interesting to see if he, in fact, does.
He won't be!
And it sure was interesting! (*but not as interesting as 'Steely Dan Week.')
As has been widely reported, Trotz tried to strike it big for a five year payday but the Caps rejected those overtures. Now, it would seem to me that Trotz had no intention of returning to Washington, since Cup or no Cup, it's unlikely a team who was about to fire you (that is, passively aggressively fire you by not renewing your contract even though you're widely considered one of the best in the biz) would be interested in a five year deal. Since everyone knows that, it would seem obvious that Trotz was looking to move on.
And move on he will. Few coaches could leave their job and be guaranteed another NHL job, but Trotz is one. Everyone thinks he'll go the Islanders, so maybe he will. Probably he wants to wait and see if the Islanders are worth coaching first.
As for the Capitals, who will be their next choice?
Todd Reirden most likely.
Reirden is one of three assistant coaches for the Capitals and the only one that Trotz didn't bring with him from his last gig. He is also the only one who likely won't follow him to his new one.
Reirden was a popular coaching vacancy filler last season and the Capitals (according to Sportsnet) refused to allow him to interview with other teams. Just yesterday Brian McLellan (Caps GM) said that he would begin the interview process with Reirden.
Should Reirden completely blow the interview, the Capitals will put in a call to my boy Mike Keenan. But that is unlikely and it is almost certain that Todd "Reirdy" Reirden will be the next coach of the Washington Capitals.
Washington Capitals Blogger • 
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