The Washington Capitals needed to restructure their coaching staff after Barry Trotz’ departure and Todd Reirden’s promotion, and today have hired two new faces. Scott Arniel and Reid Cashman have been hired as assistant coaches, joining Reirden and Blaine Forsythe on the current staff.
Arniel is coming over from the New York Rangers, where he had served for the past five seasons as an associate coach beside Alain Vigneault. With the Rangers change to David Quinn, Arniel found himself looking for a new opportunity and will take the next step of his coaching career in Washington. The 55-year old has head coaching experience at the NHL and AHL level, including winning the Coach of the Year award in the minor leagues.
Cashman meanwhile is a young organizational talent who has spent the last two seasons with the Hershey Bears. Only 35 years old, he played for Reirden with the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins a decade ago, but has quickly climbed through the coaching ranks. The offensive defenseman will take over coaching the defense corps in Washington, something that Reirden took care of under Trotz. If they establish the same philosophies, it shouldn’t be too much of a change for John Carlson and the other star puck-movers.