Ahead of New York's game against the San Jose Sharks on Thursday night, Patrick Roy was asked about the 2024 NHL Trade Deadline.
New York Islanders head coach Patrick hasn't had to deal with an NHL Trade Deadline since his final season in Colorado.
Ahead of New York's game against the San Jose Sharks on Thursday night, Roy was asked about the deadline, which is Friday at 3 PM ET.
"My part...very simple. Coach the team," Roy said. "That's all I want to do. I want to coach the team and make sure we're ready.
"When does the deadline finish? [brief pause] I'm just kidding. I haven't really worried about it. I love the group that is on the ice with me right now, and working with these guys, I'm extremely happy."
On Tuesday morning, Islanders general manager Lou Lamoriello said that he was "absolutely not" selling at this year's deadline.
Roy thinks Lamoriello's words should boost the confidence of a group that has won four straight games and is within striking distance of a playoff spot.
"I hope it brings confidence to this group because, I mean, Lou always believes. That's the first thing he said to these guys when I got in," Roy said. He believes in these guys, and that's the reason why I'm here because I like this group. I mean, I see this group, I see great things in this group, and I'm very happy.
"The way the team has been responding in the last, what, month, even if we didn't win all the time. I feel like the guys have been very receptive and I think we've been putting down some seed and now we start to see it grow and sometimes it's it's the patience. We wanted it green right away, but unfortunately, that's now how it works.