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Dans les coulisses

First coach fired in 24-25: Patrick Roy’s name on the list

BUFFALO, NEW YORK - MARCH 14: Head coach Patrick Roy of the New York Islanders watches the action during an NHL game against the Buffalo Sabres on March 14, 2024 at KeyBank Center in Buffalo, New York. (Photo by Bill Wippert/NHLI via Getty Images)

Patrick Roy has succeeded.

He took the Islanders to the playoffs after his arrival at the helm, which is a victory in itself.

In the end, his club lost in the first round to the Carolina Hurricanes, but still: we wanted to be part of the spring dance in New York, and that’s what happened.

As a result, the Isles will have high expectations for next season.

The club showed it was capable of taking on the best clubs in the East in the second half of last season, and we’ll want to repeat that in 24-25.

And if that doesn’t happen… there could be consequences, because the NHL is a league of results.

That said, in a piece for The Athletic, we see Patrick Roy’s name placed in the category of the first coach who could be fired next campaign.

He doesn’t lead the list, but seeing his name there is still significant:

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Lou Lamoriello wants to win.

We understood that when he fired Lane Lambert last season… Even though Lambert was only in his third year as head coach.

Could the GM do the same at some point with Roy if the results don’t come quickly in 24-25?

The question can be asked, but one thing needs to be said before anything else: Lou Lamoriello hasn’t done much to improve his squad since the end of last season.

He offered a one-season contract to KHL forward Maxim Tsyplakov, who has never played a game in the National League…

He managed to lure Anthony Duclair, giving him a four-year contract (!!!) at $3.5 M per year…

And he signed defenseman Mike Reilly to add depth to the blue line.

On paper, the Isles line-up looks like this:

(Credit: Daily Faceoff)

The New York club may have one of the best goaltenders in the National League in Ilya Sorokin…

But with the improvement of clubs in the East, I can’t see this team fighting for a playoff spot next season.

Although we were all saying pretty much the same thing before the start of last season…

Lou Lamoriello still has time to improve his roster, but it won’t happen on the free agent market because the players still available aren’t exceptional.

He’ll have to make a move via a transaction to make it happen, and that could be difficult too if the club isn’t flush with good prospects and draft picks for the next few years.

It’ll be up to Patrick Roy to work his magic… But it’s going to be tough if his GM doesn’t help him.

Overtime

– I’ve always loved that logo!

– For those interested :

– Already?

– He’ll have a chance to make his mark.

– Not ideal.