Patrick Roy is the brand new coach of the New York Islanders, employed Saturday in a surprising midseason change behind the bench that got here with the firing of Lane Lambert.
President of hockey operations and common supervisor Lou Lamoriello introduced the transfer to dismiss Lambert and usher in Roy, who hasn’t coached within the NHL in almost a decade. Roy has been talked about in consideration for a number of vacancies since and now will get a second likelihood.
“Watching our crew play, I felt that the inconsistency that has been happening for some time period was not going to finish,” Lamoriello mentioned on a video name with reporters. “After I had the chance to fulfill with Patrick not too long ago, I felt that this was the perfect for our group to go ahead.”
The Islanders have misplaced 4 video games in a row and 6 of seven to fall out of a playoff spot. Lamoriello, 81, mentioned he made the transfer as a result of he nonetheless believes his crew can contend and earn a spot within the Jap Convention playoff race.
Lambert was halfway via his second season on the job. Roy coached the Colorado Avalanche for 3 seasons from 2013-16 earlier than abruptly resigning a month earlier than coaching camp.
Roy, 58, mentioned that in his time away from the NHL, he has realized quite a bit in regards to the worth of teaching staffs working to assist gamers enhance.
The four-time Stanley Cup champion who’s third on the profession NHL wins listing amongst goalies received the Jack Adams Award as coach of the 12 months in 2013-14 after guiding the Avalanche to the playoffs in Nathan MacKinnon’s rookie season. He spent the previous 5 seasons teaching and serving as GM for the junior Quebec Remparts.
“His presence is extraordinarily aggressive,” Lamoriello mentioned, citing Roy’s success as a participant and a coach. “I assumed he was the precise individual for the job.”
Lambert, former Islanders coach Barry Trotz’s longtime right-hand man, acquired his first NHL head job when he was promoted from assistant in Could 2022. He was on Trotz’s employees once they received the Cup with Washington in 2018.
Lambert is the fifth coach fired within the league this season after Edmonton’s Jay Woodcroft, Minnesota’s Dean Evason, St. Louis’ Craig Berube and Ottawa’s D.J. Smith.
Roy mentioned he watched two latest Islanders video games and favored the muse of veterans and younger gamers the membership has.
“I noticed that these guys have been sticking collectively,” Roy mentioned. “Certainly one of my targets will likely be to deliver some consistency to their play.”
Roy, when he labored for Colorado, mentioned he was “a little bit of a dreamer” so far as desirous to have a say in personnel selections. Not a lot in his new gig, with Lamoriello accountable for these.
“I’ve zero curiosity in administration,” Roy mentioned.
