Patrick Roy to remain Islanders coach in 2025-26; assistant coaches let go

While some things will stay the same, others will be different on Long Island next season.

During his introductory press conference on Thursday, new New York Islanders general manager Mathieu Darche confirmed that Patrick Roy will return as head coach for the 2025-26 season.

However, while the Hall of Fame goaltender will remain behind the bench, he will have a new cast around him. It was also announced that assistant coaches John MacLean and Tommy Albelin were not returning next season.

Roy had finished up his first full season behind the bench as head coach with the Isles. He joined the team in the interim in January of the 2023-24 season. The Quebec City native guided the team to a third-place finish in the Metropolitan Division, though they were quickly trounced in the opening round against the Carolina Hurricanes.

Unfortunately, the Islanders were unable to replicate that success. While they finished with a .500 record (thanks to 12 losses beyond regulation), the team was unable to keep up in the Wild Card race. The Isles finished sixth in the Metro, missing the playoffs for the first time in three seasons.

In addition to the coaching changes in New York, it was also announced that the team’s American Hockey League affiliate, the Bridgeport Islanders, would have a new coaching staff for the 2025-26 season. This comes after the team posted a 15-50-7 record, finishing with the worst record in the AHL. Their four wins at home are the fewest in the league’s history.

Roy is one of the few notable members returning to the hockey operations department. The opportunity for Darche to come to Long Island came after the Isles parted ways with longtime president and GM Lou Lamoriello shortly after the season ended. With a new support staff around him, the Islanders are hoping for a much more positive outcome next year.