In a shocking move, the New York Islanders have named Patrick Roy as their new head coach. He takes over the position from Lane Lambert.
#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
Lambert Out, Patrick Roy In
Lou Lamoriello is famous for keeping a tight lid on any changes happening with his teams. This is no different, as outside of vague speculation about Lambert’s future there was no indication Roy was returning to the NHL.
Lambert is being let go after just a single completed season as head coach of the Islanders. Last year he led the team to the playoffs with a 42-31-9 record, though the team lost in the first round. He ends his tenure this season at 19-15-11, two points back of a wild card spot.
Lambert came to the Islanders as an assistant to Barry Trotz in 2018 when they both signed from the Washington Capitals. The Capitals won their first Stanley Cup that season under Trotz and Lambert.
And In This Corner…
Patrick Roy is likely still best known for his Hall of Fame playing career, recently passed in all-time wins by Marc-André Fleury. His NHL coaching career is a brief one, though lively with several memorable moments.
Roy’s first NHL game as coach was a 6-1 victory over the Anaheim Ducks. While the game wasn’t much, his altercation with Ducks head coach Bruce Boudreau made the news. It didn’t get much calmer from there.
Before that, Roy was the head coach for the QMJHL Quebec Remparts for eight seasons, winning a Memorial Cup in 2005-06. That was the extent of his experience before being named to the Colorado Avalanche head coach position in 2013. There, he was given an unusual amount of power, granted “final say” in hockey matters.
Then-general manager Greg Sherman was essentially reduced to an advisor role when Joe Sakic came on board. Former teammates Sakic and Roy worked together for at least the 2013-14 season, guiding the Avalanche to a 52-22-8 record. They were ousted in the first round of the playoffs by the Minnesota Wild.
The Avalanche regressed the next year, missing the playoffs entirely. Once the 2015-16 season ended, Roy left the team citing a “lack of input” in personnel decisions. His final record as head coach of Colorado is 130-92-24 with one playoff appearance. He was replaced by current Avalanche coach Jared Bednar.
Main Photo Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
