EAST MEADOW, N.Y. -- Patrick Roy and Lou Lamoriello will each be back with the New York Islanders next season.
Lamoriello, the general manager, made the announcement on Friday during the Islanders' breakup day.
"The two gentlemen up here will be back next season," Lamoriello said.
Roy, the Hall of Fame goaltender, was hired as coach on Jan. 20, replacing Lane Lambert.
"He did an excellent job coming in halfway through," Islanders forward Mathew Barzal said. "He really just gave everybody the confidence that we could do it no matter what. The analogies and stories that he has, I felt like I could really believe them coming from him because he's been through it. The confidence that he puts out, I think really helped our group."
The Islanders were 19-15-11 when Roy, 58, took over. They went 20-12-5 under Roy, finishing third in the Metropolitan Division and clinching a berth in the Stanley Cup Playoffs before losing to the Carolina Hurricanes in five games in the Eastern Conference First Round.
"The playoffs feel like unfinished business because I thought that we played really well," Roy said. "And when the coach on the other side says that the games could have gone either way, I really believe that because that's how I felt as well. And coming up short doesn't make you feel good about it. But at the same time, seeing the improvement of our team and the way that we played certainly motivates us, in order to be more ready for next year. And I look forward to the training camp and I think the players are looking forward as well to a fresh start and having a training camp again because there was a lot of positive coming from this season."
Roy came to the organization, not knowing anything about the players or the group. That allowed for his voice to be more meaningful, given his outside perspective.
"He changed the culture for sure," Islanders defenseman Adam Pelech said. "He came in, he didn't know any of us. We had been a group that's been together for a long time. So I think it was interesting to get a new perspective, a new set of eyes on us that hasn't been here forever. I think we have a great culture here and a good group, a good core group, and a good group of leaders. So I don't think the culture was an issue at all, but I do think there were things that he wanted to see from us or wanted to change, and it was good to get that new perspective."
Roy said his second NHL stint as coach has been a learning experience after he was coach of the Colorado Avalanche from 2013-16.
"I learned a lot because it was the first time I jumped in mid-season," Roy said. "It was unknown on my side, but obviously I had the support of Lou, helping me out. We had a lot of conversations about a lot of things and going in, I wanted to play a certain way structure-wise. I'm thankful to the players for embracing that challenge and making it work."
Lamoriello, 81, completed his sixth season as GM of the Islanders after being in the same role with the Toronto Maple Leafs from 2015-18.
Under Lamoriello, the Islanders went to the semifinal round of the playoffs in back-to-back seasons (2020, 2021), with him winning the Jim Gregory General Manager of the Year Award in each. New York has qualified for the playoffs in five of his six seasons.
Lamoriello, who also was GM of the New Jersey Devils from 1987-2015, has the second-most games (2,838) and wins (1,444) as a GM in NHL history, behind only David Poile in each (3,075 games, 1,533 wins).
"I'm excited," Lamoriello said. "Next season started the next morning (after losing in the playoffs) and that's what we have been doing. As far as what transpired, I think a lot has happened. (It was an) extremely positive transition. I take full responsibility. I put Patrick in a very difficult situation. Coming in at the time he came in, the changes that are necessary to do things the right way, you don't have a lot of time. … So I'm excited. Patrick knows that. I couldn't be more pleased where we are today."
