Elliotte Friedman's ability to read lips took a hit Thursday.
The Sportsnet hockey reporter caused a stir when he posted a video in his "31 Thoughts" column that showed a conversation between Washington coach Barry Trotz and his Columbus counterpart, John Tortorella, in the moments after the Capitals had clinched their first-round series over the Blue Jackets.
Friedman wrote that there are "questions" about Trotz's future in Washington, and he later explained on air that he thought the Capitals coach said “I’m gone, I’m gone, I’m not coming back, I’m gone,” while shaking Tortorella's hand.
Given that neither coach could be heard in the clip, Friedman had to rely on his lip-reading skills to interpret Trotz's words.
Elliotte Friedman thinks Barry Trotz told John Tortorella: “I’m gone, I’m gone, I’m not coming back, “I’m gone” at the end of the #ALLCAPS/#CBJ series. pic.twitter.com/JnPOo71wh7
— NHL Prospects Watcher (@Prospects_Watch) April 26, 2018
With Trotz in the final year of his contract with the Capitals, speculation about his situation has grown. But despite Friedman's interpretation, Trotz denied speaking to Tortorella about his future.
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Following Washington's 3-2 loss to the Penguins Thursday, Trotz was asked at the postgame press conference whether Friedman's report was accurate. The 55-year-old said his contract situation was not the topic of discussion.
"We were talking," Trotz said. “We weren’t talking about that.”
#Caps head coach Barry Trotz talks to the media after a 3-2 loss in Game 1 against the Pittsburgh Penguins. #ALLCAPS pic.twitter.com/VS3KLm1q98
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) April 27, 2018