?Night Cap Recap ?
Patrick Roy Hired as New York Islanders Head Coach #isles @FullPressNHL @myNHLTradeRumor @FP_Coverage @WillChiarucci @swaggaa13 pic.twitter.com/9rd9CyYqle
— Jim Biringer (@JimBiringer) January 20, 2024
The New York Islanders decided to shake things up amid a losing streak. President of Hockey Operations and General Manager Lou Lamoriello announced two moves. First, the team relieved head coach Lane Lambert of his duties. Second, the Islanders announced Patrick Roy would become the next head coach of the Islanders.
#Isles News: New York Islanders President of Hockey Operations and General Manager Lou Lamoriello announced today that Lane Lambert has been relieved of his coaching responsibilities. Patrick Roy has been named Head Coach of the New York Islanders.
— New York Islanders (@NYIslanders) January 20, 2024
Lou Lamoriello had a belief in this Islanders team entering the season. Hence, that is why he did not make too many offseason moves. Lamoriello felt this group could finish the job with Lambert as head coach. Unfortunately, the Islanders are not living up to expectations. Or at least the expectations of the general manager.
With Lambert as the head coach, the Islanders are currently in sixth place in the Metro Division with a record of 19-15-11. The Islanders have lost four in a row and six of their last seven games. There was a chance Lamoriello could have fired Lambert earlier in the season; however, the Islanders were able to turn things around. At one point, the Islanders sat in the top three of the Metro Division for a good stretch.
‘However, we know Lamoriello is no stranger to firing coaches. We know his history, especially with the New Jersey Devils. He is not afraid to make a coaching change to spark his team. Remember, in 2000, he fired Robbie Ftorek with a week left in the season and replaced him with Larry Robinson. How could anyone forget Lamoriello firing Claude Julien with a few games left in the regular season?
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Lambert took over for Barry Trotz as head coach of the Islanders on May 16, 2022. He was an associate under Trotz for four seasons. Lambert’s record with the Islanders was 61-46-20 in 127 regular season games. His record in six playoff games was 2-4.
Lamoriello sensed his team needed a change, and Patrick Roy was the guy to spark that change.
“Patrick Roy was the only person I was interested in, Lou Lamoriello said on an Islanders Press Call. “That’s why he’s here today.”
There was always interest in Patrick Roy coming back to the NHL. He coached the Colorado Avalanche for three seasons from 2013-2016. He had a record of 130-92-24 in 246 regular season games. In seven games with the Avalanche in the playoffs, Roy had a record of 3-4 as a coach.
In his first season with the Avalanche, he guided them to a 52-win season with 112 points and the Central Division title. However, the team lost in the first round to the Minnesota Wild.
Roy was going to get calls to the NHL after what he did in his second stint with the Quebec Ramparts of the Quebec Major Junior League. He coached the Ramparts from 2005-13 before going to the NHL. Then went back to the Rampart from 2018-23, guiding them to Memorial Cup victories in 2006 and 2013.
There is a reason Lamoriello wanted Roy. Outside of being a Jack Adams Award winner, he knows the game.
“Patrick can flat-out coach,” Lamoriello continued. “He’s firey. He loves the game…it’s going to be great for our players.”
Roy wants to change things up but will talk to the players before making said changes as the Islanders look to climb back into a playoff spot.
“It’s playoff hockey for the Islanders from now on,” said Patrick Roy during a press call.
Patrick Roy was a candidate for the coaching job in Ottawa before the Islanders scooped him up.
The Islanders have a lot of work to do to get back to the playoffs. However, they have a good enough roster. However, they are not maximizing their potential. Lamoriello hopes Roy can do that.