They helped build a team that would eventually win the franchise’s first Stanley Cup last June, so when Barry Trotz, Lane Lambert and Mitch Korn returned to Washington to face their former team on Friday, it was only fitting that the Capitals made sure to give the trio a classy salute.
And classy it was.
A 1:35-long video played on the jumbotron at Capital One Arena, while a packed house stood and showed their admiration for the coaching staff that led the Capitals to four consecutive 100-point seasons, 205 wins, a .677 points percentage and back-to-back Presidents’ Trophies.
Trotz was named the winner of the Jack Adams Award for the best coach in 2016 and, of course, led the Capitals past the Vegas Golden Knights in five games last season to capture hockey’s greatest prize.
Here’s the video tribute:
To Barry, Lane and Mitch - THANK YOU! pic.twitter.com/ridVTWZwHh
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) January 19, 2019
Trotz is now the head coach with the New York Islanders, with Korn and Lambert also by his side once again, and they have already put their stamp on that team, helping them get past the loss of John Tavares over the summer and still be a playoff contender in the Eastern Conference.
That’s just the Trotz way.
You can read more about Trotz, his return, why he left and what he’s done on Long Island in this story from PHT’s Sean Leahy.
#Isles coach Barry Trotz is honored by the @Capitals in his first game back in Washington. pic.twitter.com/DCdcr6j16T
— MSG Networks (@MSGNetworks) January 19, 2019
Scott Billeck is a writer for Pro Hockey Talk on NBC Sports. Drop him a line at phtblog@nbcsports.com or follow him on Twitter @scottbilleck