Despite a disappointing season, the New York Islanders organization will retain its head coach.
Recently appointed general manager Mathieu Darche confirmed on Thursday that Patrick Roy will continue as the Islanders` head coach next season. In his first full season at the helm, Roy guided the team to a 35-35-12 record.
However, Darche also stated that assistant coaches John MacLean and Tommy Albelin will not be returning.
Roy took over midway through the 2023-24 season, replacing Lane Lambert who was fired on Jan. 20, 2024. He finished that season strong, leading the Islanders to a 20-12-5 record and securing a playoff spot. They were eliminated in five games by the Carolina Hurricanes.
Unfortunately, the team could not replicate that success in the past season. A difficult final two months, marked by a 9-10-5 record, caused them to fall out of the playoff picture and into the draft lottery. They finished sixth in the Metropolitan Division standings.
Offensively, the Islanders struggled significantly. Their average of 2.71 goals per game ranked fifth-worst in the league, and their 26 power-play goals tied them for last place with the Anaheim Ducks. Furthermore, their penalty kill was the second-worst in the league, operating at just 72.2 percent 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).
Looking for significant changes, the Islanders recently traded long-time forward Brock Nelson to the Colorado Avalanche. In return, they acquired highly touted centre prospect Calum Ritchie and multiple draft selections.
Despite the challenging season on the ice, the Islanders had a major win off it by securing the first overall pick in the upcoming 2025 NHL Entry Draft via the draft lottery.
Darche joined the Islanders organization last week from the Tampa Bay Lightning. His hiring followed the team`s decision to part ways with former president and general manager Lou Lamoriello in April.
