Major NHL news broke on Sunday, with the New York Islanders making a stunning move. The writing had been on the wall for Patrick Roy. The Islanders’ recent four-game slide and 3-7 mark in their last 10 games forced the organization to make a crucial decision. It was announced that Peter DeBoer was named head coach.
NHL News: Islanders Fire Roy, Hire DeBoer
The Islanders announced on Sunday the dismissal of Roy as the team’s head coach. Roy had spent parts of the last three seasons with the Islanders. He took over midway through the 2023-24 season, leading a remarkable turnaround that led to the Isles heading to the postseason.
However, a playoff miss last season put him on the hot seat. Despite what seemed to be a successful turnaround this year, NHL news reported an inevitable fact for Roy and the Islanders.
The club dismissed Roy after 197 games and a 97-78-22 record.
In his place, the Islanders hired DeBoer. The former Dallas Stars’ head coach was let go last season following the Western Conference Final. The Stars lost in five games to the Edmonton Oilers, with the public feud with starting goaltender Jake Oettinger making waves in NHL news.
#Isles News: New York Islanders General Manager and Executive Vice President Mathieu Darche announced today that Patrick Roy has been relieved of his coaching responsibilities. Peter DeBoer has been named Head Coach of the New York Islanders.
— New York Islanders (@NYIslanders) April 5, 2026
DeBoer will see his first game as the new Islanders bench boss on Thursday night as the Isles host the Toronto Maple Leafs at UBS Arena.
DeBoer in for Long Haul with Islanders
Another bit of interesting NHL news is that Peter DeBoer won’t be an interim coach or a short-term fix. The move comes with DeBoer taking over full-time coaching duties for the foreseeable future, insider Elliotte Friedman noted.
This is not a “rest-of-season” hire. There is term involved https://t.co/dKSaNcijsL
— Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) April 5, 2026
The specifics of DeBoer’s new contract are not yet clear. However, the move clearly delineates that the Islanders see the 57-year-old as their coach for the long haul.
That’s something the organization has likely been moving towards. NHL news earlier this season suggested that Roy was on the hot seat. General Manager Mathieu Darche confirmed Roy for this season.
What It Means
However, it was evident that Roy didn’t have much runway. That runway ran out after the Isles dropped a tough 4-3 loss to the Carolina Hurricanes on Saturday night. It’s actually a miracle that the Islanders remain in a playoff spot at this point.
The Isles have a tenuous grasp on third place in the Metro Division. They are one point ahead of the Philadelphia Flyers and Columbus Blue Jackets, and two points ahead of the Washington Capitals.
Another loss could lead the Islanders to drop out of a playoff spot for good. That’s why the organization likely felt it was now or never for the club to salvage its playoff hopes.
Main photo by: Dennis Schneidler-Imagn Images
