The Washington Capitals have sacked coach Todd Reirden after a second consecutive finish of the first round in the playoffs of Stanley Cup.
General manager Brian MacLellan announced the move on Sunday, three days after the Capitals lost to former coach Barry Trotz’s New York Islanders in a five-game series.
Washington chose Reidden to be promoted from the top assistant job and let Trotz leave instead of giving him a raise after winning the Stanley Cup in 2018. Reirden would probably have left to seek a previous position for head coaching.
Trotz’s Islanders reached the second round of the postseason for a second consecutive season. The capitals failed for the first time in back-to-back years for the first time since 2013 and 2014.
The capitals are still considered champions, and captain Alex Ovechkin has one year left on his contract.
“We have higher expectations for our team, and we felt a fresh approach to leadership was needed,” MacLellan said. Todd has been a big part of our team for over half a decade, including our Stanley Cup run in 2018, and we wish him and his family all the best for the future. ”
Reirden, 49, was another first-time NHL head coach hired during the Ovechkin era. Despite being the only one with previous experience and the only coach who got Washington past the second round, let alone win the Cup.
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