New York Islanders Fire Patrick Roy
- The New York Islanders fired head coach Patrick Roy on April 5, 2026, and named Peter DeBoer as his replacement.
- The coaching change follows a significant late-season slump.
- While they remain in a playoff spot based on total points, they have fallen out of position when measured by point percentage.
The New York Islanders fired head coach Patrick Roy on April 5, 2026, and named Peter DeBoer as his replacement. The decision was announced by first-year general manager Mathieu Darche with only four games remaining in the regular season.
The coaching change follows a significant late-season slump. The Islanders have lost four consecutive games and seven of their last 10 contests since March 18, 2026. During this stretch, the team has been outscored 37-26.
The team currently holds a record of 42-31-5. While they remain in a playoff spot based on total points, they have fallen out of position when measured by point percentage. They currently trail the Ottawa Senators by one point for the second wild card spot in the Eastern Conference, and the Senators hold a game in hand.
Reasons for the Change
Internal sources indicate the move was driven by a need to shore up the team’s defensive structure. The organization felt that goaltender Ilya Sorokin was being left too exposed during the recent losing streak.
The Islanders had maintained a playoff position for most of the 2025-26 season, but their performance has declined since the Olympic break. The team has posted a .500 point percentage since that break, which ranks 25th in the league over that specific span.
Patrick Roy’s Tenure
Patrick Roy took over as head coach on January 20, 2024, replacing Lane Lambert. Over three seasons, Roy compiled a record of 97-78-22.
Under Roy’s leadership, the Islanders reached the playoffs during the 2023-24 season, where they were eliminated by Carolina in five games during the first round. However, the team missed the postseason the following year.
Roy had two years remaining on his contract at the time of his dismissal, meaning the New York Islanders remain financially responsible for those terms unless he is hired by another organization.
Peter DeBoer’s Appointment
Peter DeBoer, 57, joins the Islanders after most recently coaching the Dallas Stars during the 2024-25 season. He was fired by the Stars on June 6, 2025, and was replaced by Glen Gulutzan.
DeBoer brings an extensive resume to the position, including 662 career wins and a total of 1,261 games coached. He has previously served as head coach for the San Jose Sharks, New Jersey Devils, Vegas Golden Knights, and Florida Panthers. He has reached the Stanley Cup Final twice, once with the Devils and once with the Sharks.
During his three seasons with the Dallas Stars, DeBoer led the team to the Western Conference Final in each season. The Stars lost to the Vegas Golden Knights in 2023 and to the Edmonton Oilers in the following two seasons.
Prior to accepting the Islanders job, DeBoer served as an assistant for Team Canada during the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan Cortina, where the team earned a silver medal.
Peter DeBoer, via NHL.com
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.
While the specific terms of DeBoer’s contract were not disclosed, reports indicate the deal extends beyond the current season. DeBoer was still under contract with the Dallas Stars this season when he was hired by New York.
League Context and Next Steps
The Islanders’ coaching change is part of a broader trend of late-season shifts in the NHL. One week prior to Roy’s firing, the Vegas Golden Knights dismissed Bruce Cassidy and hired John Tortorella on an interim basis.
The New York Islanders are scheduled to return to action on Thursday, April 9, 2026, when they host the Toronto Maple Leafs.