New York Islanders – Barry Trotz
We would say this is an insane long shot, except it is impossible to know what is going on in the mind of Lou Lamoriello. Barry Trotz has been the best coach in the league prior to this season. He’s gotten the most out of the Islanders roster after they lost John Tavares to the Toronto Maple Leafs. He was able to bring in Trotz immediately after he decided to leave the Washington Capitals after taking them to a Stanley Cup. He’s proven he can win in the playoffs, and he would get the most out of this Devils roster.
This is the ideal scenario. The Devils could offer Trotz proximity so he wouldn’t even have to move. Trotz has a son with special needs, and if he were to lose his job with the Islanders, it likely means a lot to him to stay close to the area to keep things similar. This gives the Devils a shot to get his services despite so many teams likely wanting to get the services of Trotz.
Trotz shouldn’t get fired. He’s done enough to get some equity in this league, but after a disastrous season for the Islanders and watching the direction the Rangers are going, there’s no telling how Lamoriello will react. He is predictably unpredictable. This gives it hope that he could make a move that would be beneficial to the Devils in the long run. Maybe he could do us this favor since he was leading the Devils for so long. We would be eternally grateful.