When Patrick Roy got here to Lengthy Island, a 12 months in the past Monday to the day, it felt like basic supervisor Lou Lamoriello had pulled a rabbit out of the hat that might assist resurrect a stagnant franchise.
Roy — bombastic and emotional and one of many all-time greats as a participant — was a thunderclap of a rent, popping out of nowhere to interchange Lane Lambert and his regime that went stale virtually as quickly as he took over.
So sudden was the change in vitality contained in the Islanders constructing that, inside per week of Roy’s rent, Mathew Barzal memorably stated the group was “constructing a blueprint that’s going to permit us to grow to be champions.”
On Day 366 with Roy, with the Islanders two video games beneath NHL .500 and sitting in fifteenth place within the Jap Convention, Barzal was requested once more about these feedback.
“Clearly the 12 months, the place we’re within the standings, isn’t indicative of the tradition that Patty’s introduced right here,” Barzal stated. “Hopefully, we will get just a few wins the subsequent few video games. The precise tradition that Patty’s introduced right here is in contrast to what I’ve been part of. He’s simply such an trustworthy man, has a ton of perception in the whole lot.”
The cognitive dissonance between the Islanders’ report — which is way worse now than the 19-15-11 mark that received Lambert fired — and the top coach’s standing is, actually, the purpose about Roy at his first anniversary within the job.
It’s not simply that the gamers are standing behind the coach in public. It’s that there are not any questions in any respect about Roy’s job safety, at the least within the quick future. All of these are directed at Lamoriello, whose roster is now struggling beneath a 3rd head coach in 4 seasons.
At the least in that approach, Roy’s honeymoon has lasted longer than most. Serving to the Islanders get into the playoffs final season — and the distinction of their defensive numbers particularly was dramatic following the teaching change — actually contributes to that notion.
However even now, there’s much more speak concerning the constructive tradition Roy has introduced than the poor report with which the Islanders are saddled.
“I believe we’ve been in a position to work in direction of one thing,” Kyle Palmieri stated earlier than the Isles confronted the Blue Jackets Monday evening. “Clearly, the run final 12 months to get into the playoffs, it’s humorous how a 12 months could make quite a lot of distinction. Right here we’re a 12 months later in an identical place the place we gotta struggle our approach again into the playoff image.”
The Islanders’ odds, nevertheless, look lots steeper this time round, and their play has been worse. Sure, accidents are part of that, however there have been loads of accidents main as much as Lambert’s firing, too.
The place Roy — who had a say in personnel throughout his time teaching the Avalanche however has publicly deferred to Lamoriello on such issues with the Islanders — suits into the long run is among the extra attention-grabbing questions dealing with the group.
If Lamoriello stays in cost, there is no such thing as a purpose to consider something will change. But when possession makes strikes within the entrance workplace following this season, any variety of outcomes may very well be on the desk for Roy, relying who finally ends up being his boss.
Proper now, the jury continues to be out on Roy as an NHL coach. His tenure with the Islanders is, up to now, following an identical sample to his time in Colorado: a powerful first season adopted by a drop-off in 12 months two.
The gamers, although, nonetheless take pleasure in taking part in for him. And there’s little doubt that Roy nonetheless loves doing the job.
“I’m grateful for the chance. I take pleasure in each minute since I’ve been right here,” Roy stated. “It’s an ideal expertise. It’s good to be a part of this group. I see how exhausting we’re making an attempt to make folks proud and make our followers take pleasure in our group. I’m glad to be a part of it.”