Islanders GM Denies Patrick Roy Lost Locker Room Before Firing

Mathieu Darche says players respected the Hall of Fame coach despite the team's struggles.

Apr. 7, 2026 at 4:41am

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting a hockey game or match, with the players and action broken down into sharp, overlapping planes of muted navy, gray, and green tones, conveying the fractured nature of a team in transition.A coaching change at a critical juncture could reshape the Islanders' playoff hopes.NYC Today

New York Islanders general manager Mathieu Darche addressed speculation around former head coach Patrick Roy, denying that Roy had lost the locker room before being fired with four games left in the regular season. Darche said the players respected Roy but the team felt it was time to move in a new direction as they fight for a playoff spot.

Why it matters

The Islanders' late-season coaching change comes at a critical time, with the team just one point out of a playoff spot. How the players respond to new coach Pete DeBoer could determine whether the Islanders make the postseason.

The details

The Islanders fired Roy on April 3rd, with four games remaining in the regular season. Many observers felt Roy had lost the support of the players, but Darche denied this, saying the players respected the Hall of Fame coach. The Islanders have lost four straight and five of their last seven games, prompting the change to the more experienced DeBoer, who has a history of leading teams to the playoffs.

  • The Islanders fired Patrick Roy on April 3rd, 2026.
  • The Islanders are one point out of a playoff spot with four games left in the regular season.

The players

Mathieu Darche

The general manager of the New York Islanders.

Patrick Roy

The former head coach of the New York Islanders who was fired with four games left in the regular season.

Pete DeBoer

The new head coach of the New York Islanders, hired to replace Patrick Roy.

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What they’re saying

“Patrick hasn't lost the room. It wasn't about [that] guys don't want to play for him, by any means. Guys respected Patrick a ton. Again, we just wanted to move it forward from where the things have been trending.”

— Mathieu Darche, New York Islanders General Manager

What’s next

The Islanders will make their debut under new head coach Pete DeBoer on Thursday when they take on the Toronto Maple Leafs.

The takeaway

This late-season coaching change highlights the Islanders' desperation to make the playoffs, even if it means parting ways with a respected coach like Patrick Roy. How the players respond to DeBoer's leadership will be crucial in determining whether the team can secure a postseason berth.