Islanders Fire Lane Lambert; Hire Patrick Roy
Why did the team make this move?
Welcome to the THW New York Islanders Substack newsletter, with all the latest from our team of Islanders writers.
In today’s edition, it’s all things coaching. The Islanders have fired Lane Lambert and replaced him with Patrick Roy. Why did GM Lou Lamoriello make this move?
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Pros & Cons of Islanders Hiring Patrick Roy
January 22, 2024 by Mike Fink
The Patrick Roy era on Long Island started with a bang. He was hired on Jan. 20 with the New York Islanders coming off a disastrous road trip and his presence has been noticeable from the first practice. For the first time since the early years of the Barry Trotz era, the Islanders look like they have a head coach the players are willing to rally behind.
The Islanders fired Lane Lambert and immediately hired Roy to send shockwaves around the NHL. The move brings the Hall of Fame goaltender back to the NHL for his second stint as a head coach. He coached the Colorado Avalanche from 2014-16 and recently led the Quebec Remparts in the Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League (QMJHL), helping them win the Memorial Cup in 2023.
The question is what does Roy bring to the Islanders? The hiring provides optimism but what are the attributes he’ll provide behind the bench and more importantly, is his coaching going to be enough to turn this season around?
Islanders Fire Lambert Midseason: Why Lamoriello Pulled the Plug
January 21, 2024 by Mike Fink
A loss to one of the worst teams in the NHL to wrap up a 0-3-1 road trip was enough for the general manager (GM) Lou Lamoriello. The New York Islanders lost to the Chicago Blackhawks 4-3 in overtime on Jan. 19, and the slide in the standings forced Lamoriello to fire Lane Lambert and replace him with Patrick Roy.
The Islanders are just the next team in line to replace their head coach this season. The Columbus Blue Jackets did so before the season started, but the Edmonton Oilers, Minnesota Wild, St. Louis Blues, and Ottawa Senators have also fired their head coaches in the middle of the 2023-24 season.
Lambert was the next great coach in line. He seemed poised to not only take over for Barry Trotz but take this team to the next level. Fast forward to a dry January, and he’s out of a job. The decision was surprising yet one that fans could see coming as the Islanders looked like a poorly coached team.
Islanders Fire Lane Lambert, Hire Patrick Roy
January 20, 2024 by Michael Ostrower
General manager Lou Lamoriello of the New York Islanders announced today that Lane Lambert has been relieved of his coaching responsibilities. Patrick Roy has been named the team’s head coach. While the firing does not come as a shock, the hiring of Roy does.
Lambert has earned mixed reactions from fans since his hiring. After Barry Trotz left the team in a peculiar circumstance, he had big shoes to fill. He had a 61-46-20 record as head coach, losing in six games to the Carolina Hurricanes in his one playoff appearance. While the record does not seem too bad, it is evident he lost the locker room, resulting in blown lead after blown lead. His obscure lineup decisions are also likely to have led to this decision.