Islanders still have ‘ton of belief’ in Patrick Roy even as season’s disappointment continues

When Patrick Roy came to Long Island, a year ago Monday to the day, it felt like general manager Lou Lamoriello had pulled a rabbit out of the hat that could help resurrect a stagnant franchise.

Roy — bombastic and emotional and one of the all-time greats as a player — was a thunderclap of a hire, coming out of nowhere to replace Lane Lambert and his regime that went stale almost as soon as he took over.

So sudden was the change in energy inside the Islanders building that, within a week of Roy’s hire, Mathew Barzal memorably said the team was “building a blueprint that is going to allow us to become champions.”

On Day 366 with Roy, with the Islanders two games under NHL .500 and sitting in 15th place in the Eastern Conference, Barzal was asked again about those comments.

“Obviously the year, where we are in the standings, isn’t indicative of the culture that Patty’s brought here,” Barzal said. “Hopefully, we can get a few wins the next few games. The actual culture that Patty’s brought here is unlike what I’ve been a part of. He’s just such an honest guy, has a ton of belief in everything.”

The cognitive dissonance between the Islanders’ record — which is far worse now than the 19-15-11 mark that got Lambert fired — and the head coach’s standing is, really, the point about Roy at his first anniversary in the job.

It’s not just that the players are standing behind the coach in public. It’s that there are no questions at all about Roy’s job security, at least in the immediate future. All of those are directed at Lamoriello, whose roster is now struggling under a third head coach in four seasons.

At least in that way, Roy’s honeymoon has lasted longer than most. Helping the Islanders get into the playoffs last season — and the difference in their defensive numbers in particular was dramatic following the coaching change — certainly contributes to that perception.

But even now, there is a lot more talk about the positive culture Roy has brought than the poor record with which the Islanders are saddled.

“I think we’ve been able to work towards something,” Kyle Palmieri said before the Isles faced the Blue Jackets Monday night. “Obviously, the run last year to get into the playoffs, it’s funny how a year can make a lot of difference. Here we are a year later in a similar position where we gotta fight our way back into the playoff picture.”

The Islanders’ odds, however, look a lot steeper this time around, and their play has been worse. Yes, injuries are a part of that, but there were plenty of injuries leading up to Lambert’s firing, too.

Where Roy — who had a say in personnel during his time coaching the Avalanche but has publicly deferred to Lamoriello on such matters with the Islanders — fits into the future is one of the more interesting questions facing the team.

If Lamoriello stays in charge, there is no reason to believe anything will change. But if ownership makes moves in the front office following this season, any number of outcomes could be on the table for Roy, depending who ends up being his boss.

Right now, the jury is still out on Roy as an NHL coach. His tenure with the Islanders is, so far, following a similar pattern to his time in Colorado: a strong first season followed by a drop-off in year two.

The players, though, still enjoy playing for him. And there’s no doubt that Roy still loves doing the job.

“I’m thankful for the opportunity. I enjoy every minute since I’ve been here,” Roy said. “It’s a great experience. It’s nice to be part of this organization. I see how hard we’re trying to make people proud and make our fans enjoy our team. I’m glad to be part of it.”