Patrick Roy is back behind the bench of a National Hockey League (NHL) team. The New York Islanders fired head coach Lane Lambert; Roy will replace him behind the bench.
Islanders president of hockey operations and general manager Lou Lamoriello announced the news on Saturday.
The Islanders have lost four straight and six of their last seven games. The team is not in position to make the playoffs at this time.
Lambert was midway through his second season with the team. However, the Islanders can still hope to make the playoffs. Lamoriello said “you don’t make that kind of change (behind the bench) if you don’t believe in your chances.”
“It’s like the trade deadline,” compared Lamoriello, by videoconference, on Saturday. You don’t make a trade if you don’t think your team can win. »
Roy will therefore be in his second head coaching position in the NHL, having been the head coach of the Colorado Avalanche for three campaigns, from 2013 to 2016.
Roy, a four-time Stanley Cup winner and third among goaltenders in wins, won the Jack Adams Trophy as head coach of the year in 2013-14, leading the Avalanche in series during Nathan MacKinnon’s rookie season.
His debut with the Islanders will, however, be different for the Quebecer, as he will have to quickly meet his players and adapt to his new environment. In Colorado, Roy had not arrived in peak season.
“Yes, it’s a first for me to arrive behind the bench of a team in the middle of the campaign,” said Roy. On the other hand, I am convinced that every coach goes through this at some stage in their life. I’m not going to lie, yes I have ideas and changes I would like to make, but let me meet the players before speaking with the media. »
Roy wanted to make it clear that he only took on the role of head coach. After his departure from Colorado, comments said the former goaltender would want more than a role behind the bench if he returned to the NHL.
“When I accepted the job with the Avalanche, I was maybe a little dreamy to think that I could do two functions,” Roy said. Today, with time, I realize that it is impossible. I have enough to worry about with the players, the team and the relationship with the media. It will be a great challenge. »
Asked if other candidates were met or if the team had other names in mind to replace Lambert, Lamoriello was very transparent.
“I’m going to be very honest with you,” said the Islanders general manager. Patrick was the only person I cared about and that’s why he’s here today. »
Aged 58, Roy spent the last five seasons behind the bench of the Quebec Remparts in the QMJHL, in addition to serving as general manager.
Lambert is the fifth coach to be fired this season, following Jay Woodcroft (Edmonton Oilers), Dean Evason (Minnesota Wild), Craig Berube (St. Louis Blues) and DJ Smith (Ottawa Senators).