Patrick Roy as the Columbus Blue Jackets head coach?
While few probably would have expected a possible link between the two sides a month and a half ago when the team relieved Brad Larsen of his duties, there could be something to it.
.@FriedgeHNIC chats about the big week coming for the vacant coaching gigs in the NHL. pic.twitter.com/ni8K6fQHUQ
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) May 28, 2023
The former Colorado Avalanche head coach was mentioned as a possible candidate by Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman over the weekend.
The Roy File
- Born: October 5, 1965, Quebec City, Quebec, Canada
- Currently: Serving as head coach for QMJHL's Quebec Remparts in Memorial Cup
- 2005-13: Compiled 348-196 record as head coach and general manager of the Quebec Remparts, making the playoffs in each season, making QMJHL championship final in 2005-06, and winning the Memorial Cup in 2005-06
- 2013-16: Compiled 130-92-24 record as head coach of the Colorado Avalanche, making playoffs in 2013-14
- 2017-23: Compiled 170-125 record as general manager and head coach of Quebec Remparts, winning the championship in 2022-23
Though it's unclear if Roy has formally interviewed for the Blue Jackets' head coaching vacancy, The Athletic's Aaron Portzline on Sunday not only mentioned Roy as a potential candidate but placed him among the strong coaching candidates for the Blue Jackets, who are expected to name their next head coach as soon as this week:
This would definitely be a marquee hire for the Blue Jackets. Roy, a legendary NHL goaltender, has been out of the league since 2016 when he abruptly stepped down as coach in Colorado just a few weeks before the start of training camp.
It seems he might be ready to return to the NHL, but it would be surprising to many if he lands in Columbus. There’s no question he has a tremendous mind for the game and is a fierce competitor and coach.
If he interviewed with Columbus, it likely was done by video, as his current club is still playing. Roy, 57, is currently the owner, general manager and coach of the Quebec Remparts of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League, and they’ve made it all the way to the Memorial Cup.
The sticking point to his quitting in Colorado was personnel decisions. He’s used to running everything with his junior club in Quebec. Could he exist in the NHL as a coach only?
Roy coached the Avalanche from 2013-16, compiling a record of 130-92-24 and making the playoffs in 2013-14. He resigned following the 2015-16 season paving the way for Jared Bednar to take over. Bednar coached the Cleveland Monsters to the AHL championship in 2016.
Roy has been coaching the QMJHL’s Quebec Remparts since 2018 where he is also the general manager and he also coached them from 2005-2013 prior to taking over the Avalanche. Roy guided Quebec to the 2005-06 Memorial Cup championship, becoming the seventh rookie coach to do so, and the first since Claude Julien in 1997.
Patrick Roy, en.remparts.ca
In his final season as head coach for the Remparts this year, Roy led the team to the QMJHL championship and is currently guiding the Remparts in the Memorial Cup. The Remparts will play on Monday against the Seattle Thunderbirds and the tournament will conclude June 4.
Patrick Roy and the Quebec Remparts are QMJHL Champions!
— JayOnSC (@JayOnSC) May 22, 2023
(: @quebec_remparts) pic.twitter.com/h7JOGbUAoD
Blue Jackets prospect James Malatesta, a 2021 fifth-rounder, has been playing under Roy with Quebec. Malatesta had 66 points (37 goals, 29 assists) in 55 games and was playoff MVP with 20 points (14 goals, six assists) in 18 games. He scored a hat trick in Friday’s Memorial Cup opener, an 8-3 win.
ICYMI, #CBJ prospect James Malatestas hat trick led the way in the Quebec Remparts 8-3 win over the Kamloops Blazers in the @CHLMemorialCup opener. https://t.co/ahelZshYKA
— Coby Maeir (@CobyMaeir) May 27, 2023
Roy has said he will listen to any calls he receives about a possible next NHL head coaching opportunity. The legendary goaltender is as decorated as any figure in the hockey world with plenty of hardware on his mantle.
Among the awards and accolades are four Stanley Cups as a player for the Montreal Canadiens and Avalanche, a record three Conn Smythe trophies, Hall of Fame induction in 2006, and the Jack Adams Award as the Avalanche’s head coach from his first season in 2013-14.
That 2013-14 Avalanche team was not expected to be a playoff contender following a last-place finish the year before and wholesale management and coaching changes. But Colorado's hot 6-0-0 start out of the gate and two separate six-game winning streaks set the pace to begin the season as they got off to a 12-1-0 start. Roy's six straight wins to begin a coaching career tied the NHL record with his former head coach with the Canadiens, Mario Tremblay.
Colorado made the playoffs for the first time since 2009-10, winning their first division title since 2003, before losing to the Minnesota Wild in the quarterfinals.
The next two seasons saw the Avalanche on the outside of the playoffs, and though they never finished below .500 in either season, Colorado fell to seventh place (39-31-12) in 2014-15 and sixth place (39-39-4) in 2015-16.
Just two months before the season in 2016-17, Roy suddenly announced his resignation, forcing the Avalanche to pivot and name former Cleveland Monsters head coach Jared Bednar as their next head coach.
Will Roy be a head coach in the NHL this year, let alone for the Blue Jackets?
It looks like the possibility is on the table and we'll find out very soon. Roy is known for his fiery edge as a player and a coach as it would be a bold hire for Jarmo Kekalainen who is closing in on his third head coaching hire since taking over the Blue Jackets in 2013.
