The Islanders announced on Monday morning that head coach Barry Trotz has been fired following a disappointing season in which the team failed to make the playoffs following two straight years of making the conference finals.
The news comes as a shock, as Trotz had been believed to be headed into the final year of his deal.
The Islanders had a disastrous season in 2021-22, prompted by a poorly timed COVID-19 outbreak that derailed them following a season-opening 13-game road trip.
GM Lou Lamoriello
“Unfortunately it is my role to make the best decisions for the organization. Any type of decision like this doesn’t happen overnight."
GM Lou Lamoriello
"I’d rather not get into any of the reasons [for the decision] because that’s my job based on the information I have and I experienced to make these types of decisions.”
Lamoriello said Trotz’s contract situation didn’t factor into the firing. All of the assistant coaches remain under contract. Trotz’s record as Islanders coach was 152-102-34 in the regular season and 28-21 in the playoffs.
GM Lou Lamoriello
“I believe this group of players needs a new voice. This is not negative on Barry Trotz. He is a tremendous human being. This decision was not just primarily made this season… I cannot say enough about the working relationship we had and the personal relationship we have and it will always be there."
While there are some veterans with deep playoff runs among the available NHL coaches, it’s unclear yet what direction Lamoriello will go. Isles assistant Lane Lambert has long been thought of as a potential future head coach.
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