Hockey

Islanders Fire Patrick Roy, Hire Peter DeBoer as New Head Coach

by
Richard Hayes
April 5, 2026

In a surprising move just days before the postseason, the New York Islanders have parted ways with head coach Patrick Roy, announcing on Sunday that he has been relieved of his coaching duties. The team has moved quickly to fill the vacancy, appointing veteran coach Peter DeBoer as his replacement with only four games remaining in the regular season.

General Manager and Executive Vice President Mathieu Darche confirmed the decision, as the Islanders find themselves clinging to the seventh seed in the Eastern Conference with a record of 42-31-5 and a total of 89 points. Their playoff hopes have been dimmed by a troubling stretch of four consecutive losses and seven defeats in their last ten games, leaving them vulnerable to four teams nipping at their heels, all with 88 points. The Islanders will face one of those contenders, the Ottawa Senators, in their next matchup.

Peter DeBoer, 57, comes to the Islanders after being let go by the Dallas Stars at the end of last season. He was widely regarded as one of the top coaching candidates available and has been sharpening his skills as an assistant coach for Team Canada under Jon Cooper as they prepare for the 2026 Milan Cortina Olympics. DeBoer boasts an impressive track record over 17 seasons in the NHL, with a winning percentage of .585, amassing a record of 662 wins, 447 losses, and 152 overtime losses. He has led the New Jersey Devils and San Jose Sharks to the Stanley Cup Final in 2012 and 2016, respectively, and ranks fifth all-time among NHL coaches with 97 playoff victories, holding the record for the most wins by a coach without a Stanley Cup title.

Last week, the Vegas Golden Knights made headlines when they fired Bruce Cassidy and appointed John Tortorella as their new head coach as they gear up for the playoffs. However, the Golden Knights were in a more favorable position at that time, sitting comfortably with a record of 32-26-16 and a solid grip on the No. 7 seed in the Western Conference.

Note: This recap is an independently written summary based on publicly available reporting.

Richard Hayes

Richard Hayes is the go-to writer for all things soccer at 21Sports.com. His international perspective and in-depth knowledge of the game have made him a trusted voice in the industry. Richard’s experience covering major leagues around the world allows him to offer unique insights that resonate with both casual fans and die-hard enthusiasts. When not covering matches, Richard enjoys coaching youth soccer in his community.