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  6. article_body => "<p>Barry Trotz is no longer the head coach of the Washington Capitals and, <a href=\"http:\/\/www.nbcsports.com\/washington\/capitals\/stunner-barry-trotz-steps-down-two-weeks-after-leading-capitals-stanley-cup\">after resigning Monday afternoon<\/a>, he is officially free to pursue other opportunities.<\/p>\n<p>So what's next for the now former Capitals head coach?<\/p>\n<p>For those who believe Trotz will simply retire, that seems unlikely. Trotz is only 55 years old.<\/p>\n<p>General manager Brian MacLellan indicated t<a href=\"http:\/\/www.nbcsports.com\/washington\/capitals\/term-not-money-was-main-sticking-point-brian-maclellans-negotiations-barry-trotz\">he main issue in the contract negotiations between him and Trotz&nbsp;was <\/a><a href=\"http:\/\/www.nbcsports.com\/washington\/capitals\/term-not-money-was-main-sticking-point-brian-maclellans-negotiations-barry-trotz\">term<\/a>. If Trotz was, in fact, seeking a five-year contract, that doesn't sound like someone&nbsp;who is ready to walk away from the game.<\/p>\n<p>There is only one head coaching vacancy left in the NHL, that of the New York Islanders. New President of Hockey Operations Lou Lamoriello cleaned house after getting hired and fired both general manager Garth Snow and head coach Doug Weight earlier in June.<\/p>\n<p>Now, suddenly, there is a Stanley Cup-winning coach on the market.<\/p>\n<p>While it certainly makes sense for the Islanders to pursue Trotz, there's one big reason why Trotz, or anyone, would likely be hesitant to accept the job on Long Island and that is John Tavares.<\/p>\n<p>New York's franchise player is a pending free agent and, until his contract situation is resolved, convincing anyone to take the head coaching job with the Islanders is a tough sell. If the Islanders re-sign Tavares, improve the defense and bring in a dependable starting goalie, then there is no reason to think they cannot be a playoff team.<\/p>\n<p>But those are a lot of \"ifs\" and Tavares is a big one. If he goes, suddenly the situation on Long Island is much different. Tavares' decision could be the difference between the Islanders being a playoff team or getting a high lottery pick.<\/p>\n<p>For Trotz to walk away from a team that just won the Stanley Cup to go to a New York team that may or may not have its best player back next season does not make a lot of sense.<\/p>\n<p>But just because there may be only one head coaching vacancy open doesn't mean Trotz does not have any options.<\/p>\n<p>The 2017-18 season saw no head coaching changes made during the season for the first time since the league expanded in 1967. Chances are jobs will begin to open up during the season especially if those teams believe they can land a Cup-winning coach as a replacement.<\/p>\n<p>If you're Trotz, you just won a Stanley Cup. There is no reason to rush into another opportunity. Trotz will instantly be near or at the top of every wish list for teams in need of a head coach.<\/p>\n<p>Don't just assume that Trotz will be on Long Island to start the 2018-19 season just because it is the only opportunity currently available. He can wait for the perfect opportunity to come to him.<\/p>\n<p><em><strong>MORE CAPITALS COVERAGE:<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Looking Back: <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nbcsports.com\/washington\/capitals\/how-washington-capitals-won-2018-stanley-cup\">How the Caps won the Cup<\/a><\/li>\n<li><strong>Next Man Up?:<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nbcsports.com\/washington\/capitals\/maclellan-reirden-will-get-first-crack-replacing-trotz\" target=\"_blank\">Todd Reirden the early leader&nbsp;<\/a><\/li>\n<li><strong>Second Thoughts?:<\/strong>&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.nbcsports.com\/washington\/capitals\/brian-maclellan-explains-reasoning-behind-not-extending-trotz-2017-18-season\" target=\"_blank\">Could the Caps have avoided losing Trotz?<\/a><\/li>\n<li><strong>Free agency:&nbsp;<\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nbcsports.com\/washington\/capitals\/john-carlson-wants-return-caps-want-him-back-can-they-make-numbers-work\" target=\"_blank\">Can the Caps afford John Carlson?<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n"
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Capitals

Capitals

Barry Trotz is no longer the head coach of the Washington Capitals and, after resigning Monday afternoon, he is officially free to pursue other opportunities.

So what's next for the now former Capitals head coach?

For those who believe Trotz will simply retire, that seems unlikely. Trotz is only 55 years old.

General manager Brian MacLellan indicated the main issue in the contract negotiations between him and Trotz was term. If Trotz was, in fact, seeking a five-year contract, that doesn't sound like someone who is ready to walk away from the game.

There is only one head coaching vacancy left in the NHL, that of the New York Islanders. New President of Hockey Operations Lou Lamoriello cleaned house after getting hired and fired both general manager Garth Snow and head coach Doug Weight earlier in June.

Now, suddenly, there is a Stanley Cup-winning coach on the market.

While it certainly makes sense for the Islanders to pursue Trotz, there's one big reason why Trotz, or anyone, would likely be hesitant to accept the job on Long Island and that is John Tavares.

New York's franchise player is a pending free agent and, until his contract situation is resolved, convincing anyone to take the head coaching job with the Islanders is a tough sell. If the Islanders re-sign Tavares, improve the defense and bring in a dependable starting goalie, then there is no reason to think they cannot be a playoff team.

 

But those are a lot of "ifs" and Tavares is a big one. If he goes, suddenly the situation on Long Island is much different. Tavares' decision could be the difference between the Islanders being a playoff team or getting a high lottery pick.

For Trotz to walk away from a team that just won the Stanley Cup to go to a New York team that may or may not have its best player back next season does not make a lot of sense.

But just because there may be only one head coaching vacancy open doesn't mean Trotz does not have any options.

The 2017-18 season saw no head coaching changes made during the season for the first time since the league expanded in 1967. Chances are jobs will begin to open up during the season especially if those teams believe they can land a Cup-winning coach as a replacement.

If you're Trotz, you just won a Stanley Cup. There is no reason to rush into another opportunity. Trotz will instantly be near or at the top of every wish list for teams in need of a head coach.

Don't just assume that Trotz will be on Long Island to start the 2018-19 season just because it is the only opportunity currently available. He can wait for the perfect opportunity to come to him.

MORE CAPITALS COVERAGE: