For several weeks this summer, the New York Islanders eagerly awaited as goaltending guru Mitch Korn mulled his future.
Korn, 61, had been the goaltending coach for the Stanley Cup-winning Washington Capitals under Barry Trotz, who left to take the Islanders’ job on June 21. The two had worked together since 1998, first with the Nashville Predators, and then with the Capitals.
The Islanders were eying Korn from nearly 250 miles away.
This summer, the Islanders were determined to pry Korn away from the Capitals. This was no easy task, as Korn was more than welcome to stay in Washington and had built a rapport with Braden Holtby and the rest of the goaltenders.