Islanders News: Frenemies to Coach Olympic Team Canada
“Do you know any good places in Beijing?” >> “It’s a village. We’re stuck in the village.” | Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images
Barry Trotz will join Jon Cooper and Bruce Cassidy behind the bench for the Olympics, and all shall keep one eye open. Today’s Islanders news had been in the scuttlebutt for a bit but is now official: Barry Trotz has been appointed assistant coach for Team Canada in the upcoming (surely?) 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing, where Jon Cooper will be the head coach.
The two coaches are very respectful rivals who’ve just happened to face off in the past two conference finals, each of which Cooper’s Lightning won on their way to the Stanley Cup.
Also joining the Canadian bench are Pete DeBoer, of Vegas, and Bruce Cassidy, whose Bruins the Islanders vanquished during the 2021 playoffs.
So, lots of egos and history to check at the door!
That’s the norm these days for the big international competitions, but it’s still kind of fun to see. Perhaps Cassidy will have a chance to revisit his “New York Saints” issues with Trotz.
Islanders News
Trotz joins the Olympic staff. “Trotz has been a coach with Canada’s National Men’s Team at the IIHF World Championship, winning gold (2003) and silver (2009). He also won the 2016 World Cup of Hockey as an assistant coach with Team Canada.” [Isles | Sportsnet]
Former Isles draft pick Anders Nilsson has retired due to concussion symptoms. Cool retirement note from him. [NHL] (Man, the Isles drafted him on the second day of the Tavares/de Haan draft. Time flies.)
The Rangers could learn from the Adam Pelech deal, however they already have a star forward and semi-star defenseman who’ve broken the bank. [Post]
Elsewhere
The Flyers signed Carter Hart to a three-year extension worth just shy of $4 million per. And if things don’t work out...they have Martin Jones! [Sportsnet]
Meanwhile, how are the top 10 RFAs looking? Not a lot of noise, but that’s the life of non-arbitration RFAs in summer. [Sportsnet]
Mark Giordano is embracing life as a member of Seattle. Take care of Ebs for us, won’t you? [TSN]
Michael Michael Motorcycle, having been beaten like a rented mule, has left the building: Mike Lange, the only Penguins announcer I ever enjoyed, is retiring. [Pens]
A dilemma for NHL executives (and the future cap, and players’ share of revenue): What if season ticket holders don’t come back? [Athletic]
The Senators have some maturing talent, but will their goaltending give them a chance? [TSN]
Speaking of the Sens, they now have an ECHL affiliate in Atlanta. [TSN]
Olympic Zen
Much respect to the (medal-winning? Probably? I didn’t check.) artistic swimmers, but I feel like my kids look exactly like this every time I throw them in the pool. If you have six-year-olds, you likely understand.
What a jaw-dropping perfomance by ROC!Super deserved to win! #artisticswimming pic.twitter.com/JDeoqw5UAh— レディディラ (@ladydyla_) August 4, 2021
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