While it was Hockey Day in Canada north of the border, it was an American based team that made National Hockey League headlines, as the New York Islanders made a coaching change. Out as the Islanders head coach is Lane Lambert of Melfort, Saskatchewan and in is Patrick Roy, the Hockey Hall of Fame goaltender from Quebec City, Quebec, who starred with the Montreal Canadiens and Colorado Avalanche during his remarkable hockey career.
This is Roy’s second coaching job in the National Hockey League as he was with the Avalanche for three seasons from 2013 to 2016. He also spent 13 seasons coaching the Quebec Remparts of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League. This past season, Roy won a Memorial Cup.
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The fact that Roy has teamed up with 81-year-old Hockey Hall of Fame general manager Lou Lamoreillo of Johnston, Rhode Island is fascinating. Lamoreillo has a history of making bold moves if he does not like the direction of his team. The Islanders have a record of 19 wins, 15 regulation losses and 11 losses in extra time for 49 points. They are currently two points back of the Detroit Red Wings for a playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.
Iconic hockey writer Stan Fischler made an interesting comparison between Roy and fellow NHL head coaches Bruce Cassidy and John Tortorella. Cassidy is with the Vegas Golden Knights and Tortorella is with the Philadelphia Flyers. It is also interesting that Fischler refers to Lamoreillo as his nickname “Maven.”
The Maven sees in Roy a combination of John Tortorella's fire and Stanley Cup-winning Bruce Cassidy's brains.
That should put the #Isles in good standing. At worst, it will be exciting! The time was right for the change @TheHockeyNews ⤵️ https://t.co/7E7jJwrAtC
— Stan Fischler (@StanFischler) January 20, 2024
Simmons’s description of Lamoreillo and Roy as an “odd couple” is accurate.
Lou Lamoriello and Patrick Roy – talk about a fascinating Odd Couple on Long Island
— Steve Simmons (@simmonssteve) January 20, 2024
Here is a bold prediction that would not surprise me at all that ends up happening. One thing to keep in mind is the fact Lamoreillo is 81.
Prediction: Roy is fired by the end of March and Lamoriello takes over behind the bench. His narcissistic tendencies are rivaled only by his biggest fan.
— Scott (@MedicSBK) January 21, 2024
We could also see Roy take over Lamoriello in a managerial role.
Crazy Isles pipeline idea for the future? Roy has GM experience in Quebec and seems intrigued in management (just not also while coaching). Does he take over for Lamoriello when the time comes? 👀
— Kevin (@KevinKopfHWH) January 21, 2024
The general feeling is that the Islanders are receiving praise for their Saturday move.
Lou Lamoriello shakes up the Islanders by hiring Patrick Roy: ‘He can flat-out coach’ https://t.co/lksDAJrvUR
— Arthur Staple (@StapeAthletic) January 21, 2024
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