The honeymoon between Patrick Roy and his players already seems to be over, and Alex Romanov is at the heart of it.
With rumors of a hostile offer for the Russian defender already circulating for next summer, Roy’s recent public comments have added fuel to the fire.
By saying that in his day he accepted “less money to help his general manager compete,” the Islanders coach sent a scathing message.
For Romanov, who is nearing a contract renegotiation as a restricted free agent, the comment resonated as a direct criticism.
Since arriving in New York, Romanov has solidified himself as a reliable defenseman capable of playing in the top 4. With back-to-back 22-point seasons and robust defensive play, he has become a vital piece of the Islanders’ roster. .
However, his final year of the $2.5 million contract is nearing its end, and speculation is rife.
James Mirtle of The Athletic even placed Romanov in the “rising star” category, suggesting he could attract a hostile offer between $4.81M and $7.2M per season.
The Romanov clan would indeed be looking for a contract earning them $7 million per year. And the defender would not mind a departure, since he seems to have had enough of Roy’s punishing training.
This perspective puts the organization in a delicate position. Refusing to match such an offer could allow the Islanders to recoup a first-round pick and a third-round pick, a return equivalent to the price paid for Romanov in 2022 (13th pick + a 4th round pick).
However, losing a defender capable of playing in the top 4 would leave a gaping hole in an already aging and struggling team.
Patrick Roy’s statements not only cast shade on Romanov, they also showed the tensions within a team going through a tumultuous period.
By recalling his own financial sacrifice to help his teams remain competitive, Roy clearly wanted to send a signal not only to Romanov, but to all of his players.
“If you want to win, you have to put the team first,” he said as his team plays for 500 and will have to qualify for the playoffs by the skin of their teeth.
For some, these comments are seen as a veiled ultimatum to Romanov, encouraging the player to think about his salary demands.
For others, it is proof that Roy, already under pressure, is starting to lose patience with his players.
The tensions between Roy and Romanov are just the tip of the iceberg.
The Islanders, under the direction of Lou Lamoriello, are an aging team, unable to produce on the ice.
The inability to score and lackluster performances left fans frustrated.
No wonder the UBS Arena is empty if we refer to the attendance of only 12,739 spectators during the last match despite the fact that we are talking about a brand new amphitheater.
Romanov, for his part, finds himself in a complex situation. Despite his potential, his future in New York is uncertain.
Speculation about a hostile offer isn’t helping matters, and Roy’s rigid approach could further complicate negotiations.
Rumors of Romanov’s departure fuel a growing sense of despair among Islanders fans, who see their team stagnating, even regressing.
With his direct style and his outspokenness, Patrick Roy is not unanimous.
His demanding methods begin to cause friction in the locker room. Some players are reportedly frustrated by his approach, while others feel stuck in the coach’s soporific and defensive system.
The problem is that even if Roy denies it and claims that he has carte blanche in his way of coaching, everyone knows that it is Lamoriello who orders him to play defensively and without any excitement.
Romanov, who has emerged as a key player despite early season injuries, represents both a valuable asset and an enigma for the Islanders.
His future now hinges on a crucial decision: Should the Islanders match a potential hostile offer and invest heavily in a young but offensively limited defenseman, or should they accept losing him to rebuild?
The coming weeks will be decisive. If Romanov becomes a target for a hostile bid, the handling of this matter could define the direction the Islanders take in the coming years.
Patrick Roy will have to manage a locker room where tensions are increasing, while trying to get his team back on track.
What is certain is that the honeymoon between Roy and his players is well and truly over.
With a coach under pressure, a general manager with an outdated vision, and an aging squad, the Islanders seem to be sinking into a crisis from which they could have difficulty emerging.
Romanov, caught between these tensions, could well be the first to pay the price.
The frustration that reigns on Long Island is also reflected in the training imposed by Patrick Roy.
True to his reputation as a demanding coach, Roy has recently intensified the sessions to force his players to surpass themselves.
But be careful. These punishing training sessions begin to weigh on the team’s morale. The players, already tested by a rigid gaming system and a glaring lack of results, say they are exhausted.
Alex Romanov does not escape these strict methods.
“Roy is pushing us, but it seems like there is no clear plan behind it”would have confided a player on condition of anonymity.
This intensity could have the effect of further fracturing an already tense locker room. Romanov, whose role in the top-4 requires consistency and concentration, could be particularly affected by these exhausting sessions, which risk affecting his effectiveness on the ice.
Observing the Islanders’ situation from afar, Kent Hughes can only break out in a cold sweat when he sees the evolution of Alex Romanov.
Having become a true leading defensive defender, he established himself as a sure bet on the Islanders’ top-4, even attracting the interest of teams ready to offer huge contracts.
Meanwhile, the centerpiece of the three-team trade, Kirby Dach, is falling apart.
Relegated to the fourth line in Montreal, Dach is struggling to establish himself as a key player for the Canadian. This contrast highlights the difficult decisions Hughes will face in the years to come, especially as Romanov continues to assert himself as a defensive leader while the Canadian struggles to find defensive stability.
Patrick Roy will have to quickly adjust his approach if he wants to prevent his reign from turning into a fiasco on Long Island.
With a team in difficulty, players exhausted by punishing training and a locker room under pressure, the Quebec coach seems trapped in a dysfunctional environment.
The Islanders will have to decide quickly whether they want to build around Romanov or turn over a new leaf.
Alex Romanov, at the heart of contractual discussions and internal tensions, intends to move to the bank, regardless of Roy’s hostile declarations.
Lou Lamoriello better watch out. The Islanders’ situation is a reminder that every decision in the NHL has long-term consequences.
For Kent Hughes and the Canadiens, the Romanov-13th pick-Dach trade could well become a painful point of comparison.
Romanov would help CH so much at the moment. Lamoriello must take note of Kent Hughes’ mistake…and will sign Romanov as soon as possible…
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