Well, we may be witnessing the first friction between the coach and his general manager. Yesterday, following a 6-3 loss to the Florida Panthers after leading 3-0, Roy seems to have questioned his GM’s decision to recall player Pierre Engvall for the game, as reported by Toutsurlehockey.com.
Patrick Roy and Lou Lamoriello: a strained relationship with the New York Islanders? https://t.co/5pQl8FSZXQ
– Toutsurlehockey.com (@Toutsurlehockey) October 27, 2024
Questioned in the post-game interview, the former goaltender said he understood what Engvall had done for the team over the past two years, and that he imagined (“I guess”) Lou thought it was a good time to call him back.
The way Roy responded to the question on the new additions was interesting.
“I think Lou thinks it’s [the physicality] important for us,” he said about Martin, and “I guess Lou thought it was a good moment for him” about Engvall #Isles– (@IslesFix) October 27, 2024
A little earlier, Roy had also said that “he thinks Lou thinks physicality is important for us”.
The way Roy responded to the question on the new additions was interesting.
“I think Lou thinks it’s [the physicality] important for us,” he said about Martin, and “I guess Lou thought it was a good moment for him” about Engvall #Isles– (@IslesFix) October 27, 2024
The problem is that so far, Engvall has had a very ordinary start to the AHL season with the Islanders’ school team, with just one goal and a record of -3 in six games. Nothing to justify a recall…
Except perhaps his contract of three million a year until 2030! That’s a hefty price to pay for a player in the AHL, and it’s understandable that Lamoriello must be comfortable with the current situation. Whether to justify his contract or to trade his player, Lou ideally needs Engvall to play in the NHL.
And to get there, it’s understandable that the coach wants to give himself the best possible tools, and he doesn’t seem to consider Engvall to be one of them. In fact, the forward was Roy’s second-least-used player in yesterday’s match, with just 10 minutes 37 minutes of playing time.
While Roy hasn’t openly questioned his general manager’s decision, he does seem to imply that he doesn’t endorse it or take the blame for it.
Are we already witnessing the end of the honeymoon between Pat and Lou? We know that Lamoriello can sometimes make surprising and impulsive decisions, especially if he’s not satisfied (talk to Claude Julien!).
And if the Islanders get off to a rocky start this season, could we see the former Canadiens goaltender quickly dismissed after waiting nearly seven years for a return to the bench of a National League team? It’s a little early to speculate, but it’ll be an interesting situation to follow!
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