The New York IslandersLane Lambert, long-time Barry Trotz assistant and right hand man, was hired Monday to replace him as coach.
Lou Lamoriello, the general manager, named Lambert as Trotz's successor a week later firing the Stanley Cup-winning coachWho had one more year on his contract.
This is Lambert's first job as a head coach in the NHL. Trotz was fired last Thursday after the Islanders missed their playoffs the first time in four seasons. It was a disappointing turn-of-events that culminated with a 13 game road trip, and then being hit with injuries and coronavirus absences.
Lamoriello refused to give reasons for Trotz' firing, except that he felt the team required a new voice. Lambert and he will address reporters Monday.
Lambert, 57, was a member of Trotz's staff for the past 11 years in Nashville, Washington, and New York. He holds a Stanley Cup Ring from the Capitals' title win in 2018. After that Trotz resigned to join the Islanders.
Trotz was replaced then by an assistant, and Todd Reirden was promoted to Washington. After two seasons and two first round playoff exits, he was fired.
Reirden, now on Mike Sullivan’s team with the Pittsburgh PenguinsTrotz had never been in a relationship with Lambert. Lambert started working for Trotz under the auspices of the Nashville PredatorsIn 2011, after having served as the coach for their American Hockey League affiliate, Milwaukee, he was appointed to his side.
It wasn't immediately clear what would happen with assistants Jim Hiller John GrudenLamoriello said that Piero Greco, the goaltending coach, was still under contract after Trotz's firing. The 79 year-old executive claimed that those decisions would be made later by the next coach.
Lambert, a Swift Current, Saskatchewan native, was a player in over 300 NHL regular-season playoff and playoff games during the 1980s, as well as many more in minor leagues and Europe. In 2002, he became an assistant coach with Moose Jaw in the Western Hockey League.
Lambert was a junior league coach in Prince George, where he coached for two seasons. Then he made the jump to the AHL. Next season will mark his 22nd year as a coach at any level and his 7th as a Head Coach.
