Patrick Roy Must Be the Key to the New York Islanders Success this Upcoming Season

Looking at the Plus/Minus that Patrick Roy Brings to the Table

PLUS

The biggest plus Patrick Roy brings to the table is a structured, defensive approach. That approach is more reminiscent of the play the New York Islanders played under Barry Trotz than Lane Lambert.

Under Lambert, the team seemed to play a more open, offense-first style. However, that approach left Ilya Sorokin exposed most nights, facing way more shots than he had to.

While Sorokin did bail the Isles out numerous times, there were many others when he was left hung out to dry. In the end, we can chalk up Sorokin’s down year to the lack of defensive support in front of him. The proof of that lies in a seeming rebound Sorokin had in the second half, particularly following Roy’s arrival.

The fact that Roy preaches a responsible, accountable structure means the Isles will have to play firmly in their own end, and then rely on transition the transition game to move the puck up ice. That’s where puck-moving defensemen play a huge role in the system.

If the Isles can truly buy into Roy’s system, we could be seeing an Isles team giving up way fewer shots, and, by extension, way fewer scoring chances. That situation should translate into Sorokin facing fewer high-danger chances, allowing him to make the saves that he needs to make.

As for the offense, we should see an uptick in the transition game, focusing on speed and zone movement. That’s where wingers like Anthony Duclair and Maxim Tsyplakov can become difference-makers.

Overall, we know that Patrick Roy is like that tough father figure that everyone loves. While we may hate his tough side, we know it’s for everyone’s good. Let’s hope that Roy can translate last year’s momentum into a full season of solid, 200-foot hockey.

MINUS

Roy’s critics point out his disappointing tenure with the Colorado Avalanche. After winning the Jack Adams in 2014, the Avs failed to make the playoffs in the next two seasons. That situation led to his dismissal.

However, that dismissal should be taken with a grain of salt. The Avs were a team trending downward, eventually finishing at the bottom of the league standings. Those poor finishes led to crucial draft picks, which allowed the team to regroup and become a Stanley Cup champion.

Fast forward to 2024, and Roy is in somewhat of a similar situation in New York. While the Isles aren’t exactly trending downward, the club has underperformed following its back-to-back Conference Final appearances.

As such, the biggest concern might be Roy’s inability to get players to buy into his system. Like Trotz, Roy demands a lot from his players. While we shouldn’t expect Roy to start cracking the whip, we should expect him to make players accountable for their actions and miscues.

That sort of attitude may not sit well with some players. But if last year’s turnaround is any indication, Roy shouldn’t have much of a problem getting players to keep their heads in the game for 60 minutes.

The Verdict

Patrick Roy must be a positive influence on the New York Islanders. If successful, the Isles could be looking at a renaissance this upcoming season.

But like all things in life, there are ifs to consider. Those ifs, such as injuries, could wreak havoc on Roy’s approach and system. The hope is that enough things go right, allowing the team to reach its full potential.

If that’s the case, we could be in for an exciting season of Islanders hockey in 2024-25.