New York, New York – Patrick Roy, the legendary Hall of Fame goaltender, is making his return to the NHL as the head coach of the New York Islanders. The team’s president of hockey operations and general manager, Lou Lamoriello, announced the decision on Saturday, following the firing of Lane Lambert in his second season with the Islanders.
The Islanders, currently on a four-game losing streak, find themselves just two points outside of a playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. The team’s recent downturn in performance led Lamoriello to seek a change in leadership, ultimately turning to Roy as his top choice.
Although the length of Roy’s contract has not been disclosed, his debut as the Islanders’ coach could come as early as Sunday when they face off against the Dallas Stars. Lamoriello expressed his confidence in Roy, stating, “Patrick Roy was the only person I was interested in.”
The Islanders’ season started with promise, but they have struggled with inconsistent performances. Their 4-3 overtime loss to the Chicago Blackhawks, who are near the bottom of the league standings, proved to be the tipping point for Lamoriello. Despite being plagued by injuries, the Islanders managed a strong 12-4-4 run earlier in the season. However, their recent slide has dropped them to sixth in the Metropolitan Division and 11th in the Eastern Conference. Still, Lamoriello believes that the season can be salvaged with Roy at the helm.
Roy has been eager to return to an NHL bench since leaving the Colorado Avalanche after the 2015-16 season. In the meantime, he served as the coach and general manager of the Quebec Remparts in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League, capturing the club’s third Memorial Cup title during the 2022-23 season before stepping down.
During his previous coaching stint in the NHL with the Avalanche from 2013 to 2016, Roy achieved a 130-92-24 record and led the team to the playoffs once. He now brings his wealth of experience and success to the Islanders, offering Lamoriello a non-traditional choice for a coach.
As a player, Roy established himself as one of the greatest goalies in NHL history. With a career spanning 19 seasons, he won two Stanley Cups with both the Montreal Canadiens and the Avalanche. Roy’s impressive stats include a 551-315-131 record, with a 2.54 goals against average and a .910 save percentage. He also received numerous accolades, including 11 All-Star appearances and three Vezina Trophy wins.
Roy’s appointment marks a significant development for both the Islanders and the NHL. With his proven track record and passion for the game, he has the potential to ignite a much-needed resurgence for the struggling Islanders. Fans and critics alike eagerly await his debut behind the bench and anticipate an exciting new chapter for the franchise.