In the wake of the Capitals' Stanley Cup victory, Barry Trotz has continued to field questions on whether he will remain as Capitals head coach.
To this point, Trotz, whose contract expires June 30, had put off making any declaration until after Washington's parade festivities Tuesday, saying he "wasn't thinking" about a possible extension. But as the Caps held their final media availability Wednesday, Trotz and general manager Brian MacLellan were optimistic a deal would be finalized.
"I do want to be back," Trotz told reporters. "There's some things we have to work out. If we get them worked out, then there's no question. I love the group of guys. I love the situation I'm in with the team, the location for my son and my wife. All that is in place. We'll go from there, we'll work through it."
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The feeling between both parties is mutual.
“We're going to try; I talked to Barry this morning,” MacLellan said. “I’ll talk to ownership over the next week or so, and continue to discuss everything and we’ll see where it goes.”
However, keeping Trotz, who served as the Capitals' bench boss since 2014, may cost Washington associate coach Todd Reirden.
Reirden joined the organization when Trotz was first hired. He played a crucial role in persuading defensemen Brooks Orpik and Matt Niskanen to sign with Washington four years ago, as he coached the pair in Pittsburgh. In 2016, the Capitals rewarded Reirden with a promotion, where his title changed from assistant to associate coach.
The Capitals prevented Reirden from interviewing with possible suitors in previous years as all signs pointed to Reirden becoming Trotz's successor if the Capitals opted to part ways with the 55-year-old.
A Washington Post story revealed Trotz was nearly fired twice during the 2017-18 season before winning streaks saved his job.
Note on coaching searches: hearing WASH didnt allow interviews w/Todd Reirden. Word is he was promoted last year, they wanted to keep him.
— Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) June 15, 2017
Trotz, fourth on the NHL's all-time coaching wins list, mentioned "there are a few issues we have to go through" when asked if he hoped to retain his entire coaching staff.
The Islanders are currently the only team with a head coaching vacancy.
New York relieved Doug Weight of his duties earlier this month after missing the postseason in his two years with the team. Reirden, if unable to reach any form of resolution in Washington, could become a candidate for the Islanders' vacancy.