New Capitals coach Todd Reirden hungry to prove himself

Barry Trotz leaving the Washington Capitals organization right after winning the Stanley Cup came as a surprise to pretty much everyone except Barry Trotz. Now, his assistant coach is ready to step into the spotlight.

The Washington Capitals are unpredictable, really in every sense. Their rag-tag band of talented misfits won a championship, then got drunk in the streets with fans. Their coach reached the top of the podium, then promptly resigned and packed his bags for New York.

Now a man who has never held a head coaching position will coach the current Stanley Cup champions.

The feeling for most Capitals fans? “Well… this might as well happen, too.”

It’s a crazy whirlwind situation, as much of the offseason has been for the Caps. They’ve hastily resigned John Carlson and hit the jackpot by making deals with Devante Smith-Pelly and Michal Kempny.

So new head coach Todd Reirden is really sitting pretty. And there are a lot of good reasons to hire him. He knows these boys, knows their styles and personalities, which with this bunch can be a huge plus. It’s clear that camaraderie is a driving force on this team, otherwise, DSP and Kempny could have thrown their hats elsewhere.

Reirden being a first-year coach is both fascinating and a large positive. Much like first-year players, he’s hungry to prove. He’ll be willing to take big risks (like accepting this position in the first place) and he most likely won’t stick to the somewhat antiquated ways of his predecessor.

But he is also stepping into the hardest place in the NHL. Washington fans have gotten a taste of victory, and if the parades are any indication they want more. Reirden will be under a national spotlight, with millions of people either wishing for him to be victorious or praying he’ll go up in flames.

But the players like him, and that’s a huge deal. Even Alex Ovechkin told NBC’s Tarik El-Bashir, “We all respect Todd. We all like him. Again, it’s not our thing to say who’s going to be head coach, but if it’s going to be Todd, it’s going to be fun.”

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What was clear throughout the playoffs was that the Caps play best when they’re having fun. If they were loose with Trotz during these last playoffs, it’s fair to say that they will be even more comfortable with someone like Reirden at the helm.

The Caps are the team to watch in 2018-19, and Reirden will be under the magnifying glass, with many trying to burn him as if he were an ant. Let’s hope he can withstand the heat.