Trotz resigns after the Capitals win Stanley Cup
NHL
Barry Trotz resigns less than two weeks after guiding the team to the franchise’s first Stanley Cup. Trotz was the coach of the Washington Capitals. It was rumored that Trotz’s contract ended after this season and that he was discussing an extension. However, Trotz’s contract includes a clause. Said clause automatically guaranteed a two-year extension when the team would win the Cup.
The highest paid NHL coach at the moment is Mike Babcock of the Toronto Maple Leafs. Babcock earns more than $6 million a year. Several other coaches earn more than $2.5 million per season, such as the Edmonton’s Todd McLellan, or Chicago’s Joel Quenneville. One of the major reasons Trotz resigned was due to such a low salary compared to other coaches, especially after having helped guide the team towards the Cup. This is just a plausible explanation for Barry’s resignation. Yet, as of now, Trotz is an enticing free agent.
Final Words
“After careful consideration and consultation with my family I am officially announcing my resignation as Head Coach of the Washington Capitals,” Trotz said in a statement. “When I came to Washington four years ago we had one goal in mind and that was to bring the Stanley Cup to the nation’s capital. We had an incredible run this season culminating with our players and staff achieving our goal and sharing the excitement with our fans.”
In his statement he also thanks other individuals, such as Ted Leonsis, club president Dick Patrick, and GM Brian MacLellan, who inherited Trotz from the previous general manager, George McPhee.
In addition to Trotz, the Capitals also issued a statement. It read: “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.”
Other coaches who’ve done the same
Few coaches in the past have stepped away from their teams after winning the Cup. Scotty Bowman retired after the Detroit Red Wings won the cup in 2002. In 1994, Mike Keenan resigned as coach of the New York Rangers. He did so a month after the team won its first title in 54 years.
