Patrick Roy Faces Early Test & The Islanders Need to Keep Their 1st-Round Pick
Plus, the Islanders need to be patient with Pierre Engvall and how Patrick Roy can turn the Isles into the Golden Knights
Welcome to the THW New York Islanders Substack newsletter, with all the latest from our team of Islanders writers.
In today’s edition, we discuss why the Islanders game versus the Montreal Canadiens is an early test for Patrick Roy, why the team needs to keep its first-round pick this year, and why patience must be carried out with Pierre Engvall. Finally, how can Roy turn the team into the Vegas Golden Knights?
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Islanders vs Canadiens: An Early Test For Patrick Roy
January 25, 2024 by Mike Fink
Patrick Roy made a name for himself in Quebec. Born in Quebec City, he grew up in the province and was drafted by the Montreal Canadiens in 1984 (a draft steal as he was selected in the third round). He then went on to become one of the greatest goaltenders and players in Canadiens franchise history as he finished his 19-year career with three Vezina Trophies and four Stanley Cup titles.
On Jan. 25, Roy returns to the team that made him a Hall of Famer as the New York Islanders face the Canadiens. His hiring last week brought a lot of optimism to the Islanders, a team that needed it as they now have a fiery and passionate coach behind their bench. After splitting the first two games, the game against the Canadiens is an early test in his tenure.
Roy brought a lot of hope for a bright future to the Islanders but they remain a boring and more importantly, a flawed team. He’ll have time to make his mark from a schematic standpoint but the Canadiens are a team he must defeat to both have the new era start on the right foot and bring some momentum into the All-Star Break. Another loss not only ends the honeymoon with Roy specifically but also puts this team on a different trajectory as they could be making some difficult decisions at the trade deadline in a few weeks.
New York Islanders Can’t Trade First-Round Pick This Time
January 25, 2024 by Anthony Russo
The New York Islanders find themselves in an imperfect position ahead of the trade deadline. With the intriguing hire of Patrick Roy, there’s hope for optimism to be had from the fans. But still, the team sits outside of a playoff position and has work to do to get back in on the inside.
But one thing’s for sure, Islanders general manager and president of hockey operations Lou Lamoriello has sent way too many first-round picks and prospects out the door while trying to win the Stanley Cup. The Islanders have not made a first-round selection since picking Simon Holmström at 23rd overall in 2019. As a result, many believe the organization has the worst-ranked prospect pool in the NHL, which is the price to pay for trying to contend.
Islanders Need to Be Patient with Pierre Engvall
January 24, 2024 by Michael Ostrower
The New York Islanders’ acquisition of Pierre Engvall was a strange trade at the time. The team had already made a big splash in acquiring Bo Horvat, and Engvall was not on anyone’s radar as a trade target. With the Toronto Maple Leafs needing to shed cap, he was shipped to the Islanders for a third-round pick in the 2024 NHL Draft. After scoring five goals in just 18 games with the Islanders on a 16.1 shooting percentage, he was extended to a seven-year, $3 million average annual value (AAV) contract that contains a 16-team no-trade list. With that much term being handed out to a career bottom-six winger, fans expected him to come in and have an immediate impact. And well, he has, but he is not getting credit for it.
Patrick Roy Can Turn Islanders Into Golden Knights
January 23, 2024 by Mike Fink
The Patrick Roy era is off to a promising start with plenty of optimism for the team and the fanbase for the rest of the season. He was hired on Jan. 20 and in his first game behind the bench on Jan. 21, led the New York Islanders to a 3-2 overtime victory over the Dallas Stars, one of the best teams in the Western Conference. One game in, the Islanders look noticeably different on the ice, with more structure defensively and a disciplined approach to the game.
On Tuesday, the Islanders will have a much bigger test. They host the Vegas Golden Knights, the defending Stanley Cup champions with the second-best record in the Pacific Division with a 27-14-6 record. The Golden Knights, led by head coach Bruce Cassidy, are the team that the Islanders want to become under Roy. They have been a juggernaut in the Western Conference and one of the best teams in the NHL in recent seasons and their style of play makes them admirable for any coach.