Why Stanley Cup-winning coach might elude Islanders

If new Islanders boss Lou Lamoriello is interested in talking to Barry Trotz about the team’s head-coaching vacancy, he might not get the chance.

After Trotz’s Capitals captured the Stanley Cup on Thursday night, the newly crowned coach said he “absolutely” has a future in Washington, despite his four-year contract expiring and reports he might head elsewhere, according to the Washington Post.

Trotz was considered a contender for the Islanders job even before the Caps won the Cup — though Lamoriello has not mentioned any candidates by name as he seeks a “culture change” on Long Island.

“We’re going to get the best coach available,” Lamoriello said last Tuesday, the same day he fired coach Doug Weight and GM Garth Snow.

Trotz coached this season as a lame duck after the Capitals elected not to offer him an extension before the season.

Capitals general manager Brian MacLellan was coy on Trotz’s future after the Cup-winning game.

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“If he wants to be back, he’ll be back,” MacLellan said, according to the Washington Post.

For his part, Trotz said, “I said to Brian there’s no reason that I don’t want to be there [in Washington]. No matter what happens, give me a couple of days to enjoy or not enjoy what happens.

“But … these are my kids,” he added. “This is a pretty special group. We’ll talk. I’m not worried, one way or the other. I’ve been doing this for a long time. I don’t lose any sleep over it.”

The 55-year-old Trotz has coached in the NHL for 20 years and missed the playoffs only three times since 2004.

Other names mentioned in the Islanders’ coaching search include Alain Vigneault, Dave Tippett, Sheldon Keefe, Darryl Sutter, John Madden and Scott Stevens.