NHL Rumors: Trotz May Have Narrowed Teams Down To 2

Barry Trotz is the most sought after head coach available after parting ways with the New York Islanders. There were four teams (Winnipeg Jets, Vegas Golden Knights, Detroit Red Wings, and Philadelphia Flyers) that were said to have had communication with him until a fifth team entered the fray (Dallas Stars).

Elliotte Friedman suggested on 32 Thoughts that the Jets are very serious about bringing in Trotz after respected head coach Paul Maurice left the team mid-way through the 2021-22 season. Friedman believes that the Jets haven't done detailed interviews with anyone other than Trotz.

The other team that may have pulled ahead in the Trotz sweepstakes is the Golden Knights. Emily Caplan reported that a few people around the league have suggested that Trotz and the Golden Knights may already have a deal in place.

If the rumors are true, which we will have to wait and see since Trotz has made it clear he is not going to rush into any decisions and will do what he thinks is best for him and his family. There could very well be more than just the five teams that are interested, but the Jets and Golden Knights appear to have the step up.

Trotz has coached for 23 seasons in the NHL and has coached one team to a losing record since 2002-03, which happened to be during the shortened 2012-13 season. He has 914 wins, 670 losses, 60 ties, and 168 overtime losses in his long and successful career. He has 83 playoffs wins, one Stanley Cup, and two Jack Adams Trophies awarded to the best coach in the NHL that season.

Any team that is fortunate enough to land him will more than likely see themselves in the playoff picture very soon and also see their defensive game vastly improve.