The Barry Trotz Decision: Red Wings vs. Jets

Detroit Red Wings

The young, up-and-coming Red Wings might be the best remaining on-ice fit for Trotz. With young, exciting players such as Lucas Raymond and Moritz Seider, Trotz might be able to coach this inexperienced team to the playoffs.

He’s known for his trap and defensive heavy style,  which may not be the best fit stylistically for the Wings, but it would lead to results. The biggest winner if the Wings landed him would be goaltenders Alex Nedeljkovic and 2021 first-round pick Sebastian Cossa. Goalies such as Braden Holtby and Semyon Varlamov, who posted a .929 save percentage in the 2020-21 season with the Islanders, have both had career seasons in the past, therefore Nedeljkovic would surely bounce back from the .901 save percentage he posted last season. If Cossa is given the chance to be a backup or starter next season, there’s no better system to acquaint him with the NHL and ensure success in his rookie season.

Their advantages lie in their future upside. While they may not have the superior roster right now, the Wings could be one of the best teams in the NHL in the next three years, and that should be incredibly enticing for any head coach.

Any success the Wings enjoyed last season was due to their high-flying offence, and Moritz Seider being able to shoulder and excel in top-line minutes. While Trotz’s style may lead to results, it may stunt the growth that is essential for these young players to succeed.

Winnipeg Jets

The Jets have offered a more extensive package for Trotz by reportedly having offered him a front-office job after his coaching in Winnipeg is done. This kind of long-term stability is something only the Jets can and are willing to offer. He was born in Dauphin, Manitoba, making the Winnipeg Jets the closest possible job to his hometown. If Trotz is looking for stability closer to home, the Jets are a no-brainer.

While the Wings possess the brighter future, the Winnipeg Jets are built to win now. With an elite goaltender in Connor Hellebuyck, a revamped defence core, and an extremely talented forward core, their biggest issues last season stemmed from coaching and the locker room culture. These are fixable problems under an established coaching staff starting as early as next season.

The Jets need buy-in defensively from their top forwards. Mark Scheifele and Blake Wheeler need to be better in their defensive end if they are going to return to the playoffs, and there’s no better coach on the market than Trotz to fix that issue.

Combining Connor Hellebuyck with Trotz’s defensive system would be a dream come true for the 29-year-old goaltender, and the defence core in front of him that struggled.