Photo: Sporting News
According to Crossing Broad, head coach Barry Trotz turned down an offer that would have paid him over $7 million per season to become the Philadelphia Flyers head coach before buying a $1.5 million house in the Nashville suburb of Melrose.
Trotz paid $235,000 more than the house’s market value after the house was renovated two years ago.
For what it’s worth, Barry Trotz bought a $1.5 million house in Nashville today
— Michael Gallagher (@MGsports_) June 14, 2022
There has been talk that Trotz may rejoin the Nashville Predators, where he coached for 15 years before getting fired at the end of the 2014-15 season, in a management role. It should be noted that the home purchase does not confirm Trotz will be heading to Nashville this season, but may be a possible indication of where he is headed.
Friedman on TJMS: “There was a lot of talk about Trotz buying a house in Nashville yesterday… One of the things I did think is if he went into management right now, it might be with the Predators, they would be willing to say if you want to come into management, come join us”
— NHL Watcher (@NHL_Watcher) June 15, 2022
“From what I understand, Barry Trotz has let it be known to teams that he’s not in a hurry to make his choice,” Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman reported. “He won’t make his decision until he’s sure it’s right for himself and his family.”
Friedman added on Wednesday that Trotz was never close to getting the Vegas Golden Knights’ head coaching job despite interviewing there. The Golden Knights named Bruce Cassidy head coach on Tuesday.
Trotz was considered the front runner in Philadelphia, who reportedly is closing in on signing John Tortorella to be their next bench boss once they talk about the contract details. An announcement is expected to be made on Thursday.
Friedman on TJMS: “I do think Trotz and Philly were very serious. I think the Flyers were very, very serious about Barry Trotz, I think he was their top choice and I think he decided to go in another direction, I think he told them yesterday he was going in another direction”.
— NHL Watcher (@NHL_Watcher) June 15, 2022
The Islanders fired Trotz on May 9 after missing the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the first time in his four-year tenure behind the bench. The team finished with 84 points, 16 behind the Washington Capitals for the final wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference, after falling to the eventual Stanley Cup Champion Tampa Bay Lightning in the third round in each of the previous two seasons.
This past season, the Islanders recorded averages of 2.79 goals-per-game (tied for 22nd), 2.82 goals-against per game (tied for seventh), a 22.1% power-play efficiency (12th), and a 84.2% penalty- killing rate (fourth) under Trotz.
The Islanders hired former Capitals’ assistant and Trotz’s right-hand man in Lane Lambert to lead the bench next season earlier this week.
Overall, Trotz has a 914-670-60-168 record in 23 seasons as an NHL head coach with the Islanders, Capitals, and Nashville Predators. He is 83-79 in the postseason.
In four seasons with the Capitals, Trotz went 205-89-34, good for a .677 point percentage. Trotz won the Jack Adams Award as coach of the year in 2015-16 and guided the Capitals to consecutive Presidents’ Trophies in 2015-16 and 2016-17. He led the Capitals to the franchise’s first Stanley Cup in 2017-18 and three consecutive Metropolitan Division titles.
Trotz resigned as Capitals head coach after a previously agreed upon two-year contract extension worth $1.8 million per season kicked in but he wanted a raise while the organization wanted him to commit to the contract he already agreed to.
By Harrison Brown
