Despite a challenging recent season, the New York Islanders are maintaining continuity behind the bench.
General Manager Mathieu Darche confirmed on Thursday that Patrick Roy will continue as the Islanders` head coach for the upcoming season. This decision comes after the team finished the 2024-25 campaign with a 35-35-12 record under Roy in what was his first full season with the club.
However, Darche also announced that assistant coaches John MacLean and Tommy Albelin will not be returning.
Roy originally took over as head coach mid-season on January 20, 2024, replacing Lane Lambert. He successfully guided the Islanders to a 20-12-5 record for the remainder of the 2023-24 season, helping them secure a playoff berth where they were eliminated by the Carolina Hurricanes in five games.
The team was unable to replicate that late-season success this past season. A difficult final two months, which saw them post a 9-10-5 record, caused them to fall out of playoff contention and finish sixth in the Metropolitan Division, placing them in the draft lottery.
Offensively, the Islanders struggled significantly, ranking fifth-worst in the league with an average of 2.71 goals per game. Their power play was particularly weak, tied for last with the Anaheim Ducks with only 26 goals. Their penalty kill was also poor, finishing as the second-worst in the league at 72.2% efficiency.
Individually, no Islanders player reached the 60-point mark; Bo Horvat was the team`s leading scorer with 57 points (28 goals, 29 assists).
In a significant move signaling a shift, the Islanders traded long-serving forward Brock Nelson to the Colorado Avalanche. In return, they acquired promising center prospect Calum Ritchie and several draft selections.
Despite missing the playoffs, the Islanders had a major win in the draft lottery, earning the first overall pick in the upcoming 2025 NHL Entry Draft.
Darche recently joined the Islanders organization from the Tampa Bay Lightning. His hiring followed the departure of long-time president and general manager Lou Lamoriello in April.
Tristan Blackwood