By Arthur Staple (The Athletic)

Ken Hitchcock didn’t plan on sending a text or placing a congratulatory call to his good friend Barry Trotz. Of all the coaches on the all-time NHL coaching wins list, it’s fitting that Trotz passed Hitchcock on Monday with win No. 850. The two men have spent a lot of time together in the last dozen or so offseasons — face time before the pandemic, and now FaceTime — sharing coaching concepts, preparation techniques, motivational tools and systemic tweaks.

What they do not share is a reverence for those massive numbers alongside their names on the NHL’s list. Trotz is now third, Hitchcock is fourth, but it won’t be a topic of conversation between the two next time they chat.

Click here to continue reading on The Athletic.