Barry Trotz has decided not to return immediately behind an NHL bench, sources at TSN Hockey Insider Darren Dreger said.
Dreger adds that Trotz informed the Winnipeg Jets of his decision Friday and intends to continue to focus on his family. “Trotz acknowledged how difficult the decision was not to accept the job of head coach at Winnipeg,” Dreger tweeted. “Trotz is taking the time to do what he has to do, personally, but he doesn’t rule out returning as a coach in the future.
“He deeply thanked Winnipeg Jets owner Mark Chipman, GM Kevin Cheveldayoff, and everyone involved in this process and their commitment to victory.”
The Winnipeg Jets will advance their hiring process and immediately begin scheduling second interviews while also expanding their candidate list. https://t.co/DQZFLcyTpd
– Darren Dreger (@DarrenDreger) June 24, 2022
Trotz, 59, was fired as head coach of the Islanders last month after four seasons with the club and the first without participating in the playoffs.
He won the Stanley Cup with Washington in 2018 and led the Islanders to the Eastern Conference Finals each of the previous two years before losing to eventual champion Tampa Bay.
Trotz had one year left on his contract. New York was 152-102-34 in the regular season and 28-21 in the playoffs under Trotz, the organization’s biggest hit in more than two decades. He coached the Nashville Predators during his first 15 seasons, helping them reach the playoffs seven times. His 914 regular-season wins rank him third among coaches in NHL history.