Disagree with this luv.Trotz was a fantastic coach and has always come across as a decent person. he got Mitch Korn here to school Holtby. I'm npt xure many other coaches could have done that.
Trotz was the one to eliminate Klub Kettler.
THAT is how and why we won the CUP.
HE was the one that got us to play as a TEAM.
HE was the one who taught our boys what TEAM meant.
I DO respect and see where you’re coming from Lily!
Not exactly sure where you got the part that I may not think that Trotz was a fantastic coach?
I totally agree with you, in that I absolutely think Trotz was fantastic, AND I also believe the capitals CHOSE to pull it together, to lay everything on the line, and win the CUP, FOR Barry Trotz!
The locker room, I believe, had an inkling that Trotz was not coming back, that this was their last year with him!!
There were all kinds of rumors, and small leaks, starting in the preseason, when management did not offer the customary, 1yr prior, contract renewal, in the summer, leading up to his last season here!
Word had it, that this was an insult to Trotz, He felt, (and I agree), that his performance, the prior years, had warranted a longer-term, career ending with the Caps, type contract!
Not to rehearse all the stuff over again, but it was this backdrop, going into the locker room in the playoffs, that the players knew their coach would not return next year!
It is my belief, that this was the time when the Caps collectively decided to give it their all, giving themselves, the city, and the head coach they respected, the Stanley Cup they KNEW they could attain!!
Having said this, my point about this long repeated pattern of complacency, marked by the lazy and careless play we see, when they’re way ahead in the standings, is something that Barry Trotz also had to battle with, as we saw this same phenomenon occur in the 2 Presidents trophy years, AND, the Stanley Cup winning season!
No doubt, he was critical in bringing the boys to play more as a team!
No doubt, he was critical in bringing the boys to collectively buy in to his idea of hockey!
[size=78%] [/size]BUT...
Trotz NEVER solved the issue! Although I agree he may have managed it a little better than the other coaches! He did NOT eliminate the Kettler Culture!
We witnessed it with our own eyes, every mid season, when Trotz was coach too!
The difference is, IMO, Barry Trotz was not only a fantastic coach but a fantastic PERSON!!
The capitals have had the “potential“ to win the Stanley Cup several times in the last five years, but it was there incredible RESPECT for their coach, for THE MAN, that Trotz is, that caused the lesser character, “Kettler culture”, players, to MAN UP, and CHOOSE, I repeat, CHOOSE, to play their hearts out and WIN a CUP, that their coach, and themselves, already knew they could achieve!!
AND.... IT’S STILL AWESOME!!!😁😁
Rush