NY Islanders Fire Head Coach Patrick Roy, Hire Veteran Peter DeBoer

Struggling Islanders make coaching change with playoffs on the line

Apr. 6, 2026 at 4:50pm

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A fractured, cubist-style painting depicting a hockey game, with the players and ice broken down into sharp, overlapping geometric shapes and planes of color, capturing the intensity and movement of the sport.A coaching change at a critical juncture could provide a much-needed spark for the struggling New York Islanders as they fight to secure a playoff spot.NYC Today

The New York Islanders have fired head coach Patrick Roy and hired veteran bench boss Peter DeBoer to take over the team with just four games remaining in the regular season. The Islanders, sitting in playoff position but struggling with a 4-game losing streak and 7 losses in their last 10 games, cited concerns over defensive play and the need to better support goaltender Ilya Sorokin as reasons for the change.

Why it matters

The Islanders are in a tight playoff race, with their once-comfortable position now in jeopardy. The coaching change is a high-stakes move to try to right the ship and secure a postseason berth, with DeBoer's extensive NHL experience and track record of playoff success seen as key factors in the decision.

The details

Roy, who took over midway through the 2023–24 season, compiled a 97-78-22 record during his tenure. His arrival initially sparked a turnaround that led to a playoff appearance, though the Islanders were eliminated in the first round by Carolina. This season, however, the team struggled to maintain consistency, including a recent collapse in which they surrendered a lead in a loss to the Hurricanes—marking their fourth consecutive defeat.

  • The Islanders made the coaching change just days before the end of the regular season, with only 4 games remaining.
  • Roy was in his third season as Islanders head coach, having taken over midway through the 2023-24 campaign.

The players

Patrick Roy

The former Islanders head coach, who was dismissed after compiling a 97-78-22 record during his tenure.

Peter DeBoer

The veteran NHL coach who has been hired as the new head coach of the Islanders, bringing extensive experience and a strong track record of playoff success.

Ilya Sorokin

The Islanders' starting goaltender, whose performance the team is hoping to better support with the coaching change.

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What they’re saying

“All I can say is, I'm ready. There are only 32 jobs in the NHL and it's a privilege to have one of them. I'm humble enough to know that. Having said that, I have a lot of confidence in my track record of coming in and having success in different places, and I'm especially proud of my ability in the playoffs to have teams move forward.”

— Peter DeBoer, New Islanders Head Coach

What’s next

The Islanders return to action on Thursday when they host the Toronto Maple Leafs, with DeBoer making his debut as the new head coach.

The takeaway

The Islanders' decision to fire Patrick Roy and hire the experienced Peter DeBoer as their new head coach with just four games left in the regular season underscores the high-stakes nature of their playoff push. DeBoer's proven track record, especially in the postseason, is seen as crucial to helping the team regain its footing and secure a berth in the Stanley Cup Playoffs.