Islanders Hire Peter DeBoer as New Head Coach

DeBoer signed to 3-year deal after Islanders' late-season slide

Apr. 7, 2026 at 8:25am

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting fragmented, overlapping shapes and planes in navy, green, and gray, conceptually representing the strategic shift in the Islanders' coaching staff.The Islanders' coaching change aims to reshape the team's fortunes through a strategic long-term approach.NYC Today

The New York Islanders have made a dramatic late-season coaching change, dismissing Patrick Roy and appointing Peter DeBoer as the new head coach. DeBoer's contract is for the remainder of the 2025-26 season plus three additional years, keeping him in New York through the 2028-29 campaign.

Why it matters

The Islanders were second in the Metropolitan Division just a week ago, but a recent 4-game losing streak and 7 losses in their last 10 games had dropped them out of a playoff position. The coaching change is an attempt to turn the team around and secure a postseason berth.

The details

DeBoer arrives with a wealth of experience, having coached over 1,261 regular-season games in the NHL. He holds a 662-447-152 record, ranking fourth in points percentage (.585) among active coaches with at least 700 games. His 662 wins rank among the top 20 all-time and sixth among active coaches. In the playoffs, he owns a 97-82 record in 179 games and has reached the Conference Final in six of the past eight seasons, including three straight with the Dallas Stars.

  • The Islanders made the coaching change on Sunday, April 6, 2026.
  • DeBoer will make his debut as Islanders head coach on Thursday, April 10, 2026 when the team hosts the Toronto Maple Leafs.

The players

Peter DeBoer

An experienced NHL head coach with a proven track record, DeBoer has been hired by the Islanders on a 3-year contract.

Patrick Roy

The former Islanders head coach who was dismissed after the team's recent 4-game losing streak and 7 losses in their last 10 games.

Mathieu Darche

The Islanders' general manager, who signed DeBoer to a 3-year contract, indicating a strategic long-term commitment.

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What they’re saying

“The situation had taken on real urgency, as the Islanders (42-31-5) had lost four straight and seven of their past 10, sliding out of a comfortable playoff position while getting outscored 37-26 in the process.”

— Abdullah Imran, Author

“DeBoer's contract is not a short-term fix. He is signed for the remainder of the 2025-26 season plus three additional years, keeping him in New York through the 2028-29 campaign, per ESPN's Emily Kaplan.”

— Emily Kaplan, ESPN Reporter

What’s next

DeBoer will make his debut as Islanders head coach on Thursday, April 10, 2026 when the team hosts the Toronto Maple Leafs. All eyes will be on whether he can quickly turn the team around and guide them back into playoff position with just four games remaining in the regular season.

The takeaway

The Islanders' decision to dismiss Patrick Roy and hire the experienced Peter DeBoer on a long-term contract shows the team is committed to a strategic overhaul to get the franchise back on track and into the playoffs. DeBoer's proven track record in the NHL gives the Islanders hope that he can steady the ship and lead them to the postseason despite their recent struggles.