Despite helping the Washington Capitals to their first-ever Stanley Cup, Barry Trotz won’t be behind the team’s bench next season.
According to multiple sources, Trotz is stepping down as coach of the Capitals. Trotz reportedly had a clause in his contract that triggered a two-year extension if he won the Stanley Cup. But given how much coaching contracts have exploded in value over the past few years, Trotz is seemingly leaving Washington to pursue a big payday.
A statement from the Capitals…
Barry Trotz informed the organization today of his decision to resign as head coach of the Washington Capitals. We are obviously disappointed by Barry’s decision, but would like to thank Barry for all his efforts the past four years and for helping bring the Stanley Cup to Washington. Barry is a man of high character and integrity and we are grateful for his leadership and for all that he has done for our franchise.
A statement from Trotz…
Statement from Barry Trotz on his decision to move on from the Capitals. pic.twitter.com/zbdTSgHc0U
— Chris Johnston (@reporterchris) June 18, 2018
This is obviously a very surprising turn of events for the Capitals who will now have to search for a new coach for next season. Trotz spent four seasons with the Capitals. It was assumed that he would be fired if the Capitals failed to win the Stanley Cup this spring.
Trotz will become the first coach to leave a Stanley Cup winning team immediately after the playoff ended. The last time it happened was when Mike Keenan left the New York Rangers in 1994 to join the St. Louis Blues. Scotty Bowman also left the Red Wings after the team won in 2002 but he retired from coaching rather than joining a different organization.
This is going to be a tough situation for Washington to navigate, but there will certainly be many suitors out there asking about Trotz's services as he's leaving to become a free agent at his highest point of value.
