Lou Lamoriello likes personalities with a Montreal heritage. He hired Jacques Lemaire, Larry Robsinson and Pat Burns. All they did was win a Stanley Cup for the New Jersey Devils.

"He's got the knack."

"He's got the goods."

Four little words and -- put 'em all together and they spell PATRICK ROY.

Lou Lamoriello likes personalities with a Montreal heritage.

He hired Jacques Lemaire, Larry Robsinson and Pat Burns. All they did was win a Stanley Cup for the New Jersey Devils. Interestingly, two separate news reports had differing twists on a Lamoriello quote:

"His presence is extremely impressive," was one.

"His presence is extremely aggressive," was the other.

It doesn't matter; both hold for the New York Islanders new leader. Which reminds me, lead will be as vital a term when it comes righting the capsized franchise from Elmont.

Certainly, Roy has paid his dues. The fact that he would -- in effect -- start all over in Junior hockey says enough about his determination.

"I wanted to 'resource' myself in the game," Roy explained. "I was glad to have worked the Junior game and I know that the players have changed"

To win a Memorial Cup symbolic of the Canadian Junior championship as Roy did with Quebec Remparts takes a special talent which attracted Lou.

"Patrick's Junior success in developing players was on my mind," added Lou "He's the right person for the job because he can flat out coach."

The onus is going to be on Anders Lee. He's the captain and he's got to round up this posse of players who in no uncertain terms let down Lane Lambert. That cannot happen with Roy.

Nor will it happen.

As for Lou's hiring of Lambert; I had no problem then because he seemed the most natural successor to Barry Trotz. In the end, he wasn't Trotz and that was that.

Roy now will have to do what Lambert could not do: 1. Plug the leaky defense; 2. Form four dependable lines; 3. Learn from Lou who was "dogging" it and who refused to let down teammates and the coach.

One thing I learned about Roy a long time ago; he doesn't fool around. His punch line says it all.

"It's playoff hockey from now on!"