It's a good thing NHL teams don't set timetables for coach hirings because this summer's coach search is happening on Eastern Trotz Time.

Elliotte Friedman has reported that Barry Trotz is telling teams he will take his time making a decision about his future because he wants to get it right. Trotz became the No. 1 available coach when the New York Islanders fired him and hired his right-hand man Lane Lambert.

That's important because Trotz reportedly has talked to the Winnipeg Jets, Vegas Golden Knights, Philadelphia Flyers and Detroit Red Wings.

Trotz may also be waiting to see if other teams fire their coaches. For example, are the Florida Panthers going to make Andrew Brunette their permanent coach?

General managers interviewing coaches may be fine with the longer process because there are some possible candidates still involved in the playoffs. For example, teams are interested in talking to Tampa Bay assistant coach Derek Lalonde.

Here are candidates linked to teams.

Detroit Red Wings: Friedman reported Trotz talked to the Red Wings, and Rick Tocchet, John Tortorella and Lalonde have been linked to Detroit. Tocchet and Tortorella are linked to the Red Wings job because it has been reported that Yzerman may want a tough coach for his rebuilding team. The link to Lalonde is Yzerman hired him in Lambert was projected to be on Yzerman's list until he was promoted in New York. Yzerman and Lambert were friends and teammates in Detroit.

"I’m not going to today kind of restrict it to any particular tight, narrow set of requirements I
guess, or experience or lack of experience for that matter," Yzerman said.

Chicago Blackhawks: The only news that has leaked out is that interim Derek King is still a candidate.

Dallas Stars: Jim Nill is said to be interested in former Vancouver coach Travis Green and maybe even Windsor Spitfires coach Marc Savard.

Philadelphia Flyers: John Tortorella and Trotz, plus Penguins assistant coach Mike Vellucci and Flames associate coach Kirk Muller and St. Louis Blues assistant coach Jim Montgomery. Philadelphia Hockey Now's Sam Carchidi reported Montgomery. Flyers' Chuck Fletcher seems to be the most aggressive GM when it comes to interviewing.



Vegas Golden Knights: Trotz has been linked to the Golden Knights.

Winnipeg Jets: They were the first team to interview Trotz. The Athletic reported that Scott Arniel will be part of the coaching staff next season. Maybe he will be associate coach. How will that impact the Jets' ability to hire a coach?

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