The New York Islanders have decided to part ways with head coach Patrick Roy, naming veteran bench boss Peter DeBoer as his successor in a late-season shakeup.
The move comes as the team struggles to maintain momentum, having dropped several consecutive games while clinging to a playoff position in the Metropolitan Division. With only a handful of regular-season matchups remaining, management opted for a change in leadership in hopes of stabilizing the club before the postseason push.
Roy, who took over behind the Islanders’ bench in 2024, compiled a record of 97 wins, 78 losses, and 22 overtime defeats during his tenure. Despite flashes of promise, the team’s inconsistency ultimately led to the decision to move in a different direction.
Stepping in is DeBoer, a highly experienced NHL coach with a long track record across multiple franchises. Most recently with the Dallas Stars, he guided the team to three straight appearances in the Western Conference Final. Over his career, DeBoer has amassed more than 600 wins and has twice led teams to the Stanley Cup Final, underscoring his reputation as a coach capable of deep playoff runs.
The timing of the change is notable, coming so close to the end of the regular season. It signals urgency from Islanders management, who appear focused on maximizing the team’s chances in a tightly contested playoff race.
Roy, a Hall of Fame goaltender and four-time Stanley Cup champion during his playing career, becomes one of several NHL coaches to be dismissed this season amid heightened expectations across the league.
With DeBoer now in charge, the Islanders will look to regroup quickly and carry renewed direction into their final games – and potentially into the playoffs.