It goes without saying that players have changed over time, and as such, so have the methods used to manage them. In his presentation from TCS Live 2014, newly appointed Washington Capitals Head Coach Barry Trotz reflected on the changes he’s witnessed in players during his tenure as an NHL coach and the adjustments he’s made in his approach.
"The coaches in this room, you're leaders. You're role models."
Trotz coached the Capitals from 2014 to 2018, leading the team during one of its most successful periods. Under his leadership, Alex Ovechkin continued to be one of the NHL's premier goal scorers, while also improving his two-way game. The pinnacle of Trotz's tenure came when he led the Capitals to their first Stanley Cup championship in 2018, defeating the Vegas Golden Knights. Shortly after winning the Cup, Trotz left the Capitals due to contract negotiations; he instead joined the New York Islanders. Trotz has since become the General Manager of the Nashville Predators, the team with which he started his coaching tenure in the NHL.
Coaches have to stay in tune with changing times. Since leaving the Capitals, Trotz has seen Ovechkin break Wayne Gretzky's record of 894 NHL goals (against another former team, the Islanders), and he maintains a relationship with the Russian star.
For Trotz, the game has changed in how we consume it and watch it, but at its core it's remained the same. Players want accountability, rules, and they want to be part of something special.
Noteworthy Timestamps:
- 1:30 Playing to coaching career
- 4:30 Coaching philosophies
- 7:00 Leading the modern player
- 15:50 It starts with leadership
- 21:40 Character and attitude
- 25:20 Accountability
- 27:20 Winning focus
- 28:10 Handling adversity
- 31:40 Respect factors
- 40:30 Bench management
