The New York Islanders fired Patrick Roy and announced the hiring of veteran coach Pete DeBoer in a stunning move on Easter Sunday.
It’s a move that likely spells a new direction, at least in perception, about what the expectations are around the New York Islanders. Roy went 42-31-5 this season and 97-78-22 in parts of three seasons on Long Island. The Islanders remain in the last guaranteed playoff spot in the Metropolitan Division with 89 points. They lead Philadelphia (88 points) and Columbus (88 points), but both teams have games in-hand over the Islanders.
New York sat in a playoff spot at Thanksgiving, usually seen as a crucial indicator for likelihood of making the playoffs. Now, the Islanders don’t control their own destiny. What was once thought to be a strategic retreat season has become a hard charge to the finish line.
Pete DeBoer’s history indicates the Islanders aren’t rebuilding
This is DeBoer’s sixth head coaching job in the NHL. He coached in Stanley Cup Finals with New Jersey (2011-12) and San Jose (2015-16). In 17 seasons coaching, DeBoer led New Jersey, San Jose, Vegas and Dallas to a combined 10 playoff trips. His teams only failed to advance out of the first round once (2016-17 with San Jose).
The expectations may not have changed internally, but the perceptions around the team will change with the arrival of a veteran head coach known for his ability to out-scheme other coaches in the playoffs.