Arlington, Va.
There was only one candidate, and he got the job.
Top assistant Todd Reirden will take over the Stanley Cup-champion Capitals, promoted from the bench on Friday in a move that allows Washington to maintain a sense of continuity. Reirden coached the defensemen the past four seasons, was a finalist for another NHL head job two years ago, earned a promotion to associate coach and played a substantial role in the first championship in franchise history.
“We feel that the time is right for Todd to lead our hockey club,” general manager Brian MacLellan said. “Based on his coaching experience, communication abilities, his approach to the game and the respect he commands in our locker room, we feel that Todd has earned this opportunity.”
MacLellan hopes promoting Reirden from within will allow the team to “transition seamlessly into next season and beyond.”
Given his four-year tenure on Trotz’s staff and the league-wide view of him as a rising star in coaching, Reirden was the only one interviewed for this job. He was hired less than two weeks after Trotz resigned and eight days after the veteran Cup-winning coach joined the New York Islanders.
The 47-year-old former defenseman coached the American Hockey League’s Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins for parts of two seasons before serving as an NHL assistant with Pittsburgh for four years. Reirden was a finalist for the Calgary coaching job two summers ago but, after losing out to since-fired Glen Gulutzan, was given a raise and the associate coach title by the Capitals.
Champs Retain Kempny
Arlington, Va.
Washington picked up Kempny from the Chicago Blackhawks at the trade deadline for a 2018 third-round draft pick.
He was helpful during the Capitals’ postseason run to their first title, getting two goals and three assists while averaging more than 17½ minutes per game as a top-four defenseman.
Doughty Stays a King
El Segundo, Calif.
Los Angeles announced the deal on Friday for its two-time Stanley Cup-winning cornerstone.
Doughty has been among the NHL’s top defensemen throughout a 10-year career spent entirely with the Kings. He won the Norris Trophy as the league’s best defenseman in 2016, and he has been a finalist for the award in three other seasons, including 2017-18.
Ex-Wild GM Joins N.J.
Newark, n.j.
Devils executive vice president and general manager Ray Shero says Fletcher will help him and assist in hockey operations, including scouting. Fletcher previously worked under Shero for three years as assistant general manager of the Pittsburgh Penguins from 2006-2009. The team won the Stanley Cup in 2009.
The 51-year-old Fletcher spent the previous nine seasons (2009-2018) as general manager of the Wild. The team went the playoffs the past six seasons, but it has not reached the second round since 2015. His contract was not renewed after this past season.
“Chuck brings a vast array of experience working for teams at different stages of their growth,” Shero said.
“He has seen teams start from the beginning, teams that were building toward the Stanley Cup playoffs and teams striving to be consistent contenders,” he said.
“I personally know that Chuck’s knowledge, work ethic and demeanor will be benefits to our organization. We are excited for him to work directly with our management, scouting and coaching staffs moving forward.”
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