Patrick Roy brought the fire this morning.
Patrick Roy brought the fire this morning.
EAST MEADOW, NY -- New York Islanders general manager Lou Lamoriello wanted fire. He bought a flame thrower named Patrick Roy.
We all knew about his passion and, at times, hot-headed behavior, but it's been five years since he showed it at the NHL level.
Vintage Roy was out to play at Islanders morning skate on Sunday as it was as if he was a drill sergeant out there gearing up his troops for battle.
Roy was screaming -- in a motivational way -- during line rushes and breakout drills.
Between each shift, he demanded that the players skate hard to the bench or to center ice, depending on where he wanted to discuss the next thing.
"We're on to a new page now mid-season. With where we are in the standings, got to turn the page pretty quickly," Islanders Mathew Barzal said. "Excited that Patrick's here and obviously brings passion and intensity immediately, and I think that's exactly what this group needed."
Noah Dobson said that the Islanders needed a spark.
"Obviously, it was a crazy day yesterday. We got back from the road trip and the changes, but I think everyone's excited. Patrick obviously brings that presence, brings a lot of passion and energy, as you saw this morning, so it's good.
"The way we've been playing lately, we needed a wake-up call, so to say. A lot of things going on, habits, and details in our game that have gotten loose are unacceptable, and we're all aware of that now. We know as a group we need to be a lot better, and I'm sure the group itself will have a good response."
Scott Mayfield loves Roy's style.
"It's great. It's how I like to play, it's how I like to be. For me, it's comfortable. I like that, and I hate losing; all I want to do is win," Mayfield said. So it's good to see I think we had a good practice today, and I'm excited to get it going tonight.
"I think a new voice is something that can be a positive. The organization felt that was a need, so they made that decision. For us, it's about playing our game and coming together. I know we're a better team than what we've shown, so it's making sure we're playing to our capabilities and making sure we go out there, work hard, and play together."
Fellow French-Canadien Jean-Gabriel Pageau said Roy got his message through immediately.
"His message was very clear this morning. We can see the passion, the intensity that he has for the game, the love that he has for the game, and I think his message was 'there is no gray area' this morning," Pageau said. "I got a lot of texts from friends back home. He's a model back home. I'm sure everywhere he goes, he gets a red carpet; everyone gets the red carpet out for him, but I was excited. It's a fresh start, and I'm sure everyone is."