Lou Lamoriello and the New York Islanders got their man.
Barry Trotz got his payday.
On Thursday, Lamoriello announced at the NHL Draft that the Islanders have hired Trotz as their new head coach.
The move comes just three days after Trotz resigned from the Capitals after leading Washington to its first Stanley Cup championship in the franchise's 44-year history.
Trotz was a free agent at season's end but could not come to terms on a contract extension. TSN's Pierre LeBrun reported that Trotz had a clause in his contract that called for a two-year extension and a $300,000 raise in salary if he won the Stanley Cup. But since he was making only $1.5 million, low by NHL standards, a $1.8 million salary wasn’t going to be enough to keep him around.
Instead, the Islanders gave Trotz a four-year deal worth a reported $20 million. The 55-year-old has a career record of 762-568-60 in 1,524 games over 15 seasons with Nashville and the last four with Washington. His 762 wins are just 20 shy of legendary Islanders coach Al Arbour for fourth all-time.
By hiring Trotz, it's hoped that it will be enough to convince John Tavares to eschew free agency. The Islanders captain is potentially the biggest unrestricted free agent available.