The explosive tandem formed by Patrick Roy and Lou Lamoriello seemed destined to generate tension from the start.
On the one hand, an intense and frank head coach, known for his refusal to compromise.
On the other, an 81-year-old general manager (now 82), legendary but so rigid, having marked the history of the NHL with his absolute control over his teams.
Now, there’s no doubt that this collaboration is coming to a head, and New York Islanders fans are starting to choose sides.
The Islanders are having a difficult season with an 8-10-5 record, putting them in the bottom of the NHL. Injuries to key players like Mathew Barzal, Adam Pelech and Anthony Duclair have weakened an already aging team.
Despite these challenges, Patrick Roy does everything to keep the team afloat, but the results are struggling to keep up.
Two victories in nine games, chants of “Fire Lou” in the stands, and growing frustration among the fans: the climate is electric.
Roy, true to himself, remains optimistic:
“This is the team that Lou gave me, and I’m going to work extremely hard for these guys,” he said recently at a press conference.
But this statement, far from being simple encouragement, is seen as a veiled criticism of Lamoriello’s work.
Patrick Roy has always claimed a certain autonomy in his role as head coach. However, Lamoriello, faithful to his historical approach, still imposes his authority on several strategic decisions.
According to sources close to the team, Lamoriello insisted in particular on recalling Pierre Engvall, despite Roy’s desire to keep him aside.
Roy, accustomed to total autonomy, cannot stand this affront. His decision to boycott a press conference before the match against the Panthers was seen as an act of direct defiance towards his superior.
This disagreement illustrates a divide between two visions: one focused on renewal, the other rooted in experience.
Roy, frustrated by the limits imposed on his work, seems to have a clear plan: to take Lamoriello’s place. If the latter were to be fired, Roy would be perfectly positioned to become the next general manager of the Islanders.
The fans themselves, fed up with Lamoriello’s short-term decisions, seem increasingly supportive of the idea.
In the shadow of this struggle, Benoît Desrosiers, Patrick Roy’s assistant coach, plays a key role. With his uncompromising approach and his outspokenness, he embodies the energy and modernity that Roy wishes to instill in the organization.
At only 35 years old, Desrosiers does not hesitate to shake up veterans, a trait that makes him an ideal candidate to replace Roy as head coach if the latter ascends to the position of GM.
Lamoriello, a legendary but aging figure, seems incapable of adapting to the current reality of the NHL. His decisions, focused on the art of “patching holes) and experience, based on finished veterans, did not allow the Islanders to build a solid future.
Criticism from supporters and observers is intensifying:
“Lou is a tyrant overwhelmed by modern hockey,” some say.
With a prospect pool that has been called the worst in the NHL, the organization is at a crossroads. If Roy and Desrosiers take charge, a complete rebuild will become inevitable.
Patrick Roy is a man of challenges. His ambition to become general manager comes with a clear vision: to revitalize the Islanders through modern management and a youth-focused approach.
Alongside Desrosiers, he could give new impetus to a franchise in decline, finally capable of competing with the big NHL teams.
The next few weeks will be decisive. The pressure is mounting on Lamoriello, and Roy continues to prove that he has the character and vision to lead this team.
Long Island is ready for a change, and it’s clear that right now, Patrick Roy must be dreaming of firing Lou Lamoriello.
This tense situation is nothing new for Roy, who has always been attracted to roles of responsibility. Since his arrival at the helm of the Islanders, he has never hidden his ambition to leave a deep mark on this organization.
If becoming general manager can allow him to reshape this aging team in his image, he will not let the opportunity pass him by.
The Islanders’ problem goes beyond on-ice performance. Lamoriello’s management is singled out for its inability to build a lasting team.
With a ridiculous prospect pool, the worst in the entire NHL with that of the Penguins, made up of players who struggle to stand out, and veterans with diminishing returns, the Islanders are locked in a cycle where mediocrity seems inevitable.
The long-term contracts awarded to players like Jean-Gabriel Pageau (6 years and $30 million) and Pierre Engvall (7 years and $21 million) reflect a vision that shattered the future of the organization.
Despite everything, Patrick Roy managed to get the best out of this training, making the most of the limited talent at his disposal.
This does not go unnoticed by fans, who recognize his work and begin to demand a change at the top.
The chants of “Fire Lou” heard at the UBS Arena are striking proof of this.
One of Patrick Roy’s major assets in this power battle is the support of his supporters. Tired of Lamoriello’s years of authoritarian management and frustrated by the lack of results, they see Roy as a possible savior.
On social media and in the stands, the messages are clear: Lamoriello must go.
If the patience of the supporters is crumbling, that of Patrick Roy already seems exhausted. The conflict between the two men is obvious
If Lamoriello were to be fired, Roy already has a clear vision for the organization. His first act would likely be to fundamentally restructure the team, focusing on a solid draft and strategic trades to inject young talent. B
Lou Lamoriello’s days on Long Island seem numbered. At 82, he no longer has the energy or vision to compete in an ever-changing NHL.
On Long Island, a revolution is brewing, and its main actor is called Patrick Roy.
