What do former Islanders Thomas Hickey and Pierre Turgeon, and former Ranger Adam Graves think of the Patrick Roy hiring?
EAST MEADOW, NY -- The New York Islanders hiring of Patrick Roy is just over a week old, coaching his first game from behind the Blue & Orange bench last Saturday,
Before the Islanders alumni battled the New York Rangers at Northwell Ice Center, we caught up with a few of the players to discuss Roy joining the Islanders bench.
"He's loud," former Islanders and current MSG Network analyst Thomas Hickey said. "He's really loud. But you know what? Like my co-host Shannon would tell you, I've got terrible hearing, and I'm wearing a headset. So, I can see the intensity more than I can hear it, but no question he's certainly involved."
As for what he's seen from the Islanders since Roy has taken over:
"I think it's been impressive. I think you listen to him for what he sees to like, and he's talking about the progression that they're making. But it's the intensity that they're playing with and a determined group. And look, it's professional hockey. You'd expect that that's the bare minimum, but the reality is it's a long season, and you got to push the right buttons," Hickey said.
"I think for this group, to have someone to push them to that next level -- I don't think you ever want to get to that point -- but in my opinion, it looks like it's making a difference right now. Because that determination and the speed that they're playing with, it's leading to changing the metrics that they've come out with earlier on in the season that weren't very good. It's leading to more shots and less shots against and I think it's going to be work in progress."
Islanders legend and recent Hockey Hall of Fame inductee Pierre Turgeon was a teammate with Roy in Montreal. He knew that he would make a great coach because of that passion.
"He's a winner. Very simple," Turgeon said. "So, he's going to demand, and he's expecting a lot from his player, and he's hard on himself. He's going to expect, and he's gonna do something good, I think, with this team here.
"He's got the passion. He has that passion for coaching in the NHL and junior, and he proves that he's able to do it, and he's here. I'm glad to see him as a coach for the New York Islanders."
Rangers legend Adam Graves, who played against Roy, had one thing to say.
"I will say one thing about Patty," Graves said. "While playing against him, getting to know him a little bit, I have nothing but respect for him.
"One of the all-time greats. Competitive. He's obviously a champion, both as a player and as a coach, winning the Memorial Cup and someone I have a great deal of respect for."