Mathieu Darche Addresses Patrick Roy Firing, Hopes for Playoff Push
Published on April 6, 2026 at 12:46 PM
New York Islanders General Manager Mathieu Darche addressed the media a day after making a surprising move, relieving Head Coach Patrick Roy of his duties with just four games remaining in the regular season. The decision sent shockwaves through the hockey world, prompting questions about the team’s direction and playoff aspirations.
“Yesterday wasn’t a pleasant day,” Darche stated. “Patrick was fantastic for our organization. He moved it forward. He’s a tremendous, passionate person. I simply felt it was time to move forward and make a change.”
A Difficult Decision
Despite making the difficult decision to replace Roy with Peter DeBoer, Darche emphasized the extensive thought process behind the move. He acknowledged the personal connection he developed with his fellow Quebec native.
“Patrick, I have nothing but praise for him. I didn’t know him before coming here. I consider him a friend now, so it wasn’t easy. But sometimes, you have to make tough decisions,” Darche continued. He was careful to reiterate that there were no issues between himself, the organization, or the players in the locker room. For Darche, it was simply a matter of making a move he believed was crucial for the team’s future.
Playoff Hopes Hang in the Balance
The Islanders (42-31-5) currently find themselves on the outside looking in, one point behind the Ottawa Senators for the final playoff spot, with Ottawa holding a game in hand. New York also has a path to the playoffs by overtaking the Philadelphia Flyers for third place in the Metropolitan Division. Philadelphia also holds a one-point lead with a game in hand.
“Let’s be honest, we’ve done well this year. Our goaltenders have been exceptional. I felt like we were losing a little ground at this point. It’s not just about this year. We don’t control everything, but we control the four games we have left. Going forward, I think we give ourselves a better chance of winning those games and being in the playoffs,” Darche explained.
Welcoming Peter DeBoer
Darche expressed his excitement about securing the services of the experienced Peter DeBoer to take the helm. DeBoer has a proven track record of success, having led the Golden Knights and Stars to the Western Conference Final in five of the last six years, though a Stanley Cup appearance has eluded him.
“It was like getting the best unrestricted free agent on the market,” Darche likened it. “Coaches like Peter DeBoer don’t stay on the market long. He’s had success everywhere he’s been. He’s a very demanding coach.”
DeBoer had options during the offseason, but Darche convinced him to forgo them. “When I got the call, my first reaction was probably exactly the same as yours,” DeBoer commented during his introductory press conference. “I thought, ‘We’re two weeks from the end of the season, why rush?’ And then he convinced me with the organization, the vision, the direction, and the leadership.”
Looking Ahead
Following the announcement of Roy’s dismissal, Darche met with the Islanders players as a group and held numerous individual conversations. He is confident that the change will galvanize the team and provide the necessary boost to secure a playoff berth.
“We want to win. We love the passion of our fans. I believe we’re at 17 consecutive sellouts, something we haven’t seen in a long time. I want the fans to demand from the team. I was born in a market like Montreal, and if there’s one market that’s demanding, it’s that one. We wanted to push the team forward for this year and for years to come.”
The situation unfolded quickly after the Islanders’ loss in Carolina on Saturday night, with discussions with DeBoer intensifying on Sunday morning. The Dallas Stars, where DeBoer was still under contract, cooperated to facilitate a swift agreement with the Islanders.
New York returns to action on Thursday against the Toronto Maple Leafs. DeBoer will have three practices to familiarize himself with his new team before his debut.
“I have a lot of respect for Patrick Roy. He really gave it everything he had here, and I’ve been in his position before. So the last thing I’m going to do is stand here and say what was wrong and what I’m going to fix.”
“We’ve got four games left, it’s a good team, and there are good people here. They’ve done a lot of good things for a lot of the season. I’m just going to try to get it back on track.”
