NY Islanders head coach Patrick Roy addressed season ticket holders after practice

Friday morning wasn't the first time New York Islanders head coach Patrick Roy addressed season ticket holders at the conclusion of practice, but the circumstances surrounding the interaction this time were vastly different from training camp. 

On Oct. 6, Roy grabbed the mic toward the end of an open practice and addressed season ticket holders in attendance. “Thank you for everyone for being here today,” Roy said. “It's very special for us to practice in front of you. We appreciate that you took the time to come and see us today, and you are very important to us. We want to make you proud of us, but you're important to us, so the connection is important.”

The mood and vibe around the team were much more optimistic heading into the season. The additions of Anthony Duclair and Maxim Tsyplakov and an entire off-season for Roy to implement his system were expected to help the Islanders avoid the sluggish starts that have plagued them each of the last three seasons. In the previous two years, they were able to finish strong down the stretch to claim a spot in the postseason, but the focus was not to rely on that once again.

To say things haven't gone as planned would be an understatement. The Islanders are 13-15-7 and in last place in the Metropolitan Division after 35 games. Doubts about the core players remain and doubts have started to creep in about whether Roy is the right man for the job after many of the same problems and issues persist through this season, particularly on special teams.

"I want to say thank you for your support," said Roy at the conclusion of Friday's practice. "We're not happy with the way we are playing in front of you guys. But I'll say this to you. We are going to keep working extremely hard to make everyone proud."

Following injuries to Duclair, Mathew Barzal, Mike Reilly, and Adam Pelech, the Isles hovered around the .500 mark and were in the mix for a wild-card spot in the mediocre back half of the Eastern Conference. The team has gotten healthier recently, but better results have not followed. The team suffered a loss to the lowly Chicago Blackhawks in the final minute on Dec. 15 and then were shutout 4-0 by the Carolina Hurricanes two days later. After an encouraging 6-3 win over in Toronto, the Isles were embarrassed 7-1 on home ice against the Buffalo Sabres, winless in their previous 13 games.

There's 47 games left in the season, more than half the schedule remains so there's still time for the Islanders and Roy to turn things around, but the fanbase's patience is wearing thin and if the results don't change, you wonder whether Roy will have another chance to address the fans in the future.