Lane Lambert (left) will succeed Barry Trotz (right) as the head coach of the Islanders. Photo by Christopher Pasatieri/NHLI via Getty Images

New York Islanders promote Lane Lambert to head coach

By Chelena Goldman | Last updated May 16, 2022 12:09 PM ET

The New York Islanders made short work of their head-coaching search, announcing Monday morning that assistant coach Lane Lambert has been elevated to bench boss.

#Isles News: The New York Islanders announced today that Lane Lambert has been named Head Coach.
— New York Islanders (@NYIslanders) May 16, 2022

The announcement comes just one week after New York relieve Barry Trotz of head-coaching duties after four seasons. Trotz had one year left on his contract but was ultimately given the boot after the Isles had an underwhelming 2021-22 campaign and missed the playoffs.

Lambert was the obvious front-runner to take the job in the days following Trotz's dismissal. In addition to serving on Trotz's coaching staff, the former NHL center served as interim head coach this season while Trotz was in the league's COVID protocol. Clearly, the job he did behind the bench impressed Islanders general manager Lou Lamoriello.

Lamoriello, per press release: “I had the opportunity to work with Lane over the past four years, which includes spending time with him on a one-on-one basis when he served as the interim Head Coach this past season. In my opinion, he is the right person to coach this team.”
— Kevin Kurz (@KKurzNHL) May 16, 2022

Prior to his time in New York, Lambert served as Trotz's assistant coach for four seasons with the Washington Capitals. Lambert was part of the coaching staff that won the Stanley Cup in 2018 when the Caps defeated the newly formed Vegas Golden Knights.

The Islanders finished the season 37-35-10, ninth in the Eastern Conference and 16 points out of the final wild-card spot.

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