New York Islanders Fire Lane Lambert, Hire Patrick Roy as Head Coach
In a surprising move, New York Islanders general manager Lou Lamoriello announced on Saturday that he had fired Lane Lambert and hired Patrick Roy as the team’s new head coach. Despite the Islanders’ current position in 11th place in the Eastern Conference, Lamoriello remains confident that the team can still make a push for the playoffs.
Lamoriello compared his decision to a deadline trade, stating that he wouldn’t make such a move if he didn’t believe the team had a chance to win. He now puts the responsibility on the players to turn the season around.
While the Islanders seemed to struggle with Lambert’s coaching style, Lamoriello believes that Roy, a fiery and intense Hall-of-Fame goaltender, can provide what the team needs. Although Roy hasn’t coached in the NHL for almost eight years, Lamoriello is confident in his ability to lead the team.
Roy himself expressed hope for this opportunity after parting ways with the Colorado Avalanche in 2016. He has since coached a QMJHL team and acknowledges that times have changed since his last NHL coaching stint.
There are some questions surrounding Roy’s addition to the Islanders’ coaching staff. Lamoriello confirmed that assistant coaches John MacLean and Doug Houda will remain, indicating that this is not an interim move. The fact that owner Scott Malkin approved Lamoriello’s decision suggests that Lamoriello’s job is secure for now.
One concern is whether Roy has adapted enough to the modern NHL game. The Islanders have struggled defensively and on special teams this season. Roy admitted that attention to detail and Xs and Os were not his strong suits during his time in Colorado.
Despite these uncertainties, Lamoriello is confident in his choice of Roy as head coach. He has rarely strayed from his comfort circle when hiring coaches, often selecting candidates from the Canadiens’ coaching tree. Roy’s ability to inspire the Islanders, a team with a mix of experienced players, will be key to their success.
Roy himself is ready for the challenge and has a playoff mentality moving forward. He understands the importance of catching up to teams ahead of them in the standings and believes that the Islanders must approach every game with a playoff mindset.
With Roy now at the helm, the Islanders hope to turn their season around and secure a playoff spot. Only time will tell if this coaching change will be the catalyst they need.
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