New York Islanders: Barry Trotz effect is already noticed

With only a two month reign as the New York Islanders Head Coach, Barry Trotz’s effect on the team’s change in culture is already being felt.

Somewhat overshadowed by the debacle of the New York Islanders missing out on extending their franchise player and captain John Tavares was the hiring of Stanley Cup champion head coach Barry Trotz. More time has passed since that dagger was driven into the hearts of the franchise and its fiercely loyal fanbase.

Just a mere month and a half ago, if you were to spin up Twitter and peruse the #Isles hashtag feed, you’d be confident that the sky was falling and there was no light at the end of the tunnel of misery. The Islanders fanbase may not be the largest in the league, but rest assure they can be a venomous bunch of misfits. (And I state that in the most lovingly way possible. They are what sports fans should be.)

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With all that they’ve been through, as hard as it may be, the Islanders faithful should rest easy. Take a look at the direction the club is currently taking. It’s been numerous years since the franchise has had a viable general manager at the helm. Let alone a legend in Lou Lamoriello.

It’s been just as long since they’ve had a proven head coach, with the parade of Scott Gordon, Jack Capuano, and Doug Weight being in charge since 2008.

When Lamoriello was able to pull the trigger and bring a guy with the pedigree and resume of someone like Trotz to lead, it was a sure-fire sign that fortunes are finally changing.

Not just change for sake of doing so – the type of change the Islanders franchise has needed for years.

No more will there be accountability issues. No more will there be questions of methods used. Gone are the days of wondering how a particular player was handled and why. This is Trotz’s team now.

He brings with him an immediate command for respect. In his 19 years coaching in the NHL, he’s been behind the bench for 1,524 games, while winning 762 of those. He currently sits fifth all-time in both of those categories.

And, oh yeah, Trotz got himself one of those Stanley Cups that proves you were the best at the time. Lamoriello, in various interviews, has essentially shouted from the rafters that there was an immediate need to change the culture of the Islanders.

"“It’s my opinion that at this point there’s a culture change that is needed, and there’s new voices needed in different areas… Because of that, the change was made [to fire Doug Weight and hire Barry Trotz]… Culture is a very overused word and underdeveloped…It’s doing little things a certain way, a different way, a consistent way.”"

With the promise of hiring the best coach available, he did just that after Trotz’s negotiations with the Washington Capitals went south.

After announcing the hiring of Trotz, Lamoriello would solidify the want and need of that figurehead that players would gravitate to and jump on a grenade for.

"“We needed an individual to walk into that locker room with the players who are there who have not really had a lot of success, and he walks in there and it’s success…When you’re able to get a man who has so much experience [and] success and is a great human being, it’s just great for the franchise…”"

Trotz exemplifies all of those requirements. One of the latest (and most memorable) examples of how Barry conducts himself as a leader is the now infamous “hot lap” from the morning skate before Game 7 of the Eastern Conference finals, versus the Tampa Bay Lightning last year.

The hot lap is a new Capitals tradition that was started by Jay Beagle during round one of this past years playoff run. During the team’s road game morning skate, he decided to take a lap around the ice as fast as he could go.

The Caps ended up winning the game that night, and so the tradition would continue. Until Washington lost in Game 4 to Pittsburgh, after which Alex Ovechkin inherited the “hot lap”.

Fast forward to Game 7 of the Eastern Conference finals versus a hungry Tampa Bay team. In that day’s morning skate, Ovechkin called upon his head coach to perform the exhausting lap. The 56 year-old head coach happily obliged.

"“We had to change. We lost here last time…I look at it real simply: They called my number. At this time of year, you’re all-in. I was ready.”"

A couple of famous quotes by General George S. Patton immediately came to mind. “A leader is a man who can adapt principles to circumstances.” “Always do everything you ask of those you command.” Trotz’s teams and colleagues follow him where ever he goes.

This past July 26th, the New York Islanders added perhaps the most highly touted goaltending coach to ever grace the NHL. Barry’s old colleague and confidant, Mitch Korn, as Director of Goaltending. This is the same Korn that’s been wanting to “wind it down” for probably the past three years now. Barry called, Mitch came.

Hold your heads high New York Islanders fans because Trotz didn’t agree to come to Long Island because he wanted to take long strolls on Robert Moses Beach with Lou Lamoriello for five years. He’s come for one reason and one reason only. He knows he can help make this team a winner, and more importantly a Stanley Cup contender.