Patrick Roy already looks like a top NHL coaching candidate again

That's the real development. Not just the firing, but how quickly the next opportunity could land.

Boucher pointed to the past. Roy waited seven years between leaving the Colorado Avalanche and landing with the New York Islanders.

That kind of delay doesn't line up with today's situation. The context is completely different now.

Roy didn't exit after a lost season. He leaves behind a 97-78-22 record over three years.

More importantly, the Islanders were still in the playoff race at 42-31-5 when the decision came down.

That changes everything around the league.

General manager Mathieu Darche didn't frame this as a collapse behind the bench.

He wanted a different voice for the final stretch, not a full reset.

That distinction matters in NHL circles. Teams pay attention to how and when a coach gets replaced.

Roy wasn't coaching a bottom feeder. He had a competitive group, still battling for a wild card spot.

That keeps his stock high the second he hits the market.

Boucher's read is simple. A coach with Roy's track record, coming off a competitive run, doesn't sit idle.

And around the league, that belief is shared more than people admit publicly.

Roy brings a clear identity. His teams play structured hockey, stay tight in their own zone, and compete every shift.

There's accountability on his bench. Ice time is earned, not handed out.

That style fits teams that feel they're close but missing details.

Think of clubs that drift defensively or lose structure late in games. That's where Roy can step in fast.

There's also his presence. He's intense, direct, and fully engaged behind the bench.

That can shake a room quickly, especially one that's gone stale under a quieter voice.

The seven-year gap after Colorado came with different circumstances and fewer openings that fit his profile.

This time, the timing lines up better. Multiple teams will reassess their coaching after the season.

And Roy's name will be near the top of those lists.

Boucher didn't overcomplicate it. The phone should ring faster.

Everything around Roy right now points in that direction.

Availability, recent results, and a clear coaching identity usually lead to one outcome.

He won't be waiting long this time.

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