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Islanders Stun Sports World, Fire Head Coach Barry Trotz

Michael Cohen May 9th
ELMONT, NEW YORK - MARCH 03: Head coach Barry Trotz of the New York Islanders speaks with the media prior to the game against the Vancouver Canucks at the UBS Arena on March 03, 2022 in Elmont, New York. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)

The New York Islanders have parted ways with head coach Barry Trotz after four seasons.

Trotz complied a record of 152-102-34 in his four seasons at the helm of the Islanders, and led the team to the postseason in his first three seasons. The Islanders made it as far as the conference finals in 2020, and were in the Eastern Conference Semifinals last season. Overall Trotz’s .587 regular season winning percentage was the second best in franchise history behind Al Arbour, the man who led the Isles to four Stanley Cup titles in the 1980s.

Trotz also led the Islanders to 28 postseason victories, the most playoff wins since Arbour’s reign on the Island.

This season injuries, COVID-19 and an aging team paved the way to an underwhelming 37-35-10 season as the Islanders missed the playoffs for the first time under Trotz. General Manger and President Lou Lamoriello, who had a reputation of recycling coaches when he was in the same position with the New Jersey Devils, sensed that there needed to be change. Trotz had only one year left on his deal.

“These types of decisions are made for going forward and not for backward,” Lamoriello said. “The team is on notice right now that the new voice is what’s necessary for us to have success in my opinion.”

The reaction from fans is utter shock at the move.

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