New York Islanders | A message through the ballot

(East Meadow, New York) It is often said, to explain turnover behind the bench in professional sports, that it is easier to change one coach than 20 players, a reality particularly present in leagues like the NHL, where contracts are guaranteed.

With the New York Islanders, Patrick Roy arrived in a special situation for this purpose. At the time of his surprise hiring last January, the team had seven players on its roster with contracts valid until 2029 or later: Mathew Barzal, Bo Horvat, Pierre Engvall, Ryan Pulock, Adam Pelech, Scott Mayfield and goalkeeper Ilya Sorokin. To this was added this summer Anthony Duclair, whose agreement expires in 2028.

So 40% of players probably have a longer life expectancy than their head coach in New York. In theory.

We specify “in theory”, because Roy showed, at the end of the camp, that a long-term contract is not inevitable. On October 6, the Islanders placed Engvall on waivers. The same Engvall who signed, on 1^is July 2023, a seven-year agreement, good for three million dollars per season, with Lou Lamoriello. Engvall now plays in the American League.

“This is not an issue I touch. Lou built the team. Me, I make sure to coach the club, regardless of the players who are there, Roy simply said, at a press briefing at the Islanders training center on Saturday, a few hours before the duel against the Canadian. The decisions on which players stay and who go are Lou’s. I take care of the ice and I love how it works, because my job is to coach the team, not to build it.

“The camp was very competitive. Maxim Tsyplakov had a very good camp and he joined this trio [le deuxième] and plays good hockey,” continued Roy. Simon Holmström plays well with Pageau, they are good on the penalty kill. Then, you will have to ask Lou your questions. »

Lamoriello was unfortunately not available at that precise moment, but the players confirmed that they had received the message.

“Everyone came to camp knowing that we all had to show up, no matter how long your contract was. You have to be ready, play the way they want, but also play your style. Unfortunately, what happened to Pierre was one of the consequences, but the message was very clear,” explains Islanders captain Anders Lee.

“You never want to see a player go through something like that,” added defenseman Noah Dobson, a player likely to be added to the club’s long-term roster. We are all teammates. The message is that we are all accountable. We have to push each other. »

That said, the results haven’t been stellar so far, but after only four games, the sample remains thin. The Islanders have won just one of their four games, but grabbed points in overtime in two defeats.

More sober in public

It is a more discreet Patrick Roy, publicly, that we have noted since the start of his first full season at the helm of the Islanders.

Last year, the former goalkeeper had a blast during on-ice training, particularly during his first session.

This time, it was more subdued, and that was also the case at the press briefing. His New York colleagues also confirm to us that he has been careful not to make any sensational declarations until now. The fact remains that for the players, the coach has not changed.

Dobson called the camp “tough, intense, with a lot of tempo. Working so hard helps bring a team together. And this work at camp will help you along the way. During the season, we don’t have a lot of training time.

“Everyone has their own personality and brings passion,” continued the Prince Edwardian. We also established a standard: win or lose, it brings passion to training the next day. »

Hutson with an eye

Roy confirmed that Semyon Varlamov will defend his team’s net. He will also make a first change this season among his 18 skaters. Oliver Wahlström will be left aside and replaced by Quebecer Julien Gauthier.

Roy also seems well aware of Lane Hutson’s whereabouts this fall. Take when a colleague mentioned the minutes played by the CH rookie defender.

“He only played 30 in the last match!” joked Roy.

“We experienced the same thing in Colorado with Cale Makar. These are guys who are in the attack, who get the puck out well, who are dangerous offensively 1 on 1, who move well on the blue line. The attacker who faces him must be awake because he moves well. »

Read “Canadian-Islanders: Mystery and Gumball on Long Island”