"Sunday was fun day as the Islanders practiced at UBS Arena. Actually, coach Patrick Roy wants every trip to the rink to be a joyous occasion and stressed that importance to his players on the ice. It sounds simple but the NHL season is a grind, so reminders can't hurt as the regular-season opener in Pittsburgh on Oct. 9 draws closer."
""We have a great coaching staff, having Ray Bennett coming in with Bob Boughner [as assistants] and Benny [Desrosiers], they're going to focus a lot on the Xs and Os," Roy said. "That will allow me to focus more on the players. Talking with them, how they feel, how do we want to play. I'm not saying I'm going to turn into a psychologist but I want to go through a lot of things.""
Patrick Roy prioritized joy, trust and communication during a single-group preseason practice at UBS Arena, urging players to enjoy coming to the rink. The practice emphasized defensive work and exiting the zone with the intent of transitioning the puck up ice quickly. The Islanders lost 4-2 to the Devils and will play their penultimate preseason game against the Rangers before opening the regular season in Pittsburgh on Oct. 9. Roy adjusted forward lines, moving Emil Heineman to Bo Horvat's trio and shifting rookie Max Shabanov to Jean-Gabriel Pageau's third line.
Read at Newsday
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