Why the NY Islanders decided to hire Pete DeBoer over other potential candidates

Nearly 39 years ago, Pat LaFontaine scored the game-winning goal in the third OT of the first round of the 1987 Stanley Cup Playoffs to defeat the Washington Capitals, in a game that had been dubbed “The Easter Epic.” Today, the Islanders are making front-page news on Easter once again, as the organization has moved on from Patrick Roy as Head Coach and has hired Pete DeBoer to take over the reins.

Since entering the league as a Head Coach in 2008, DeBoer-led teams have been known for their structure and emphasis on defense.

According to Emily Kaplan of ESPN, there had been feelings on Long Island that the Islanders had been leaving goaltender Ilya Sorokin out to dry and needed better defensive structure.

Well, structure is one thing this team will have going forward, and though Sorokin is having a phenomenal season, being the backbone of a DeBoer-led team could lead to one of his best seasons in 2026-27.

Outside of Mat Barzal, there aren't many players on this roster who play a flashy style of play. Most play a two-way game, and a coach like DeBoer could help hide some defensive deficiencies through his structure.

One question mark for any team under DeBoer, and especially this Islanders team that has struggled to score, is whether they will be able to score enough. This season, we saw the Islanders try to keep up with the opposition more often, but under DeBoer, expect this team to look more like those teams under Barry Trotz. While that might not be the most exciting brand of hockey, it is likely the best style of play for this team to see the best results. 

With only a week-and-a-half remaining before the end of the regular season, DoeBoer was going to have a job behind an NHL bench sooner rather than later. But the Islanders came knocking first, and he’ll be the one to lead this organization for the immediate future.