Patrick Roy spotted in NHL city : coaching change rumour erupt!

Over the summer, Patrick Roy stepped down from his roles as head coach and general manager of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League’s Quebec Remparts. He admitted that he is hoping for a return to the NHL coaching ranks, and it could come sooner than expected.

With the Ottawa Senators, Edmonton Oilers, San Jose Sharks and even Toronto Maple Leafs struggling at the start of the season, chatter has emerged that a coaching chance could be considered for one or more of these teams. While Oilers general manager Ken Holland wants to remain patient with his head coach Jay Woodcroft, fans in Ottawa voiced their frustration towards D.J. Smith over the weekend, chanting that the bench boss should be fire.

Reports emerged on Tuesday that Roy has been seen in Kanata near the Senators’ arena, which prompted rumours that Smith could be on his way out and be replaced by the Hall of Fame goalie, according to RDS’ Norman Flynn.

This would be a second coaching experience for Roy. In his three years with behind the bench of the Avalanche, he won the Jack Adams Award as NHL coach of the year in 2014 after leading Colorado to a 52-22-8 record in his first year with the team.

After missing the playoffs in back-to-back seasons, Roy resigned as head coach and vice-president of hockey operations and was replaced by current Avalanche coach Jared Bednar, who guide the team to their third championship in history in 2022.

Roy also served as general manager of the Remparts, leading them to Memorial Cup championships in 2006 and 2023.
When it comes to his illustrious career as a player, Roy played for the Montreal Canadiens and Avalanche. He won four Stanley Cups, two with the Habs (1986, 1993) and two with the Avs (1996, 2001).

An 11-time NHL All-Star, Roy won the Conn Smythe and Vezina trophies three times, the William M. Jennings Trophy five times and Calder Trophy in 1985.

Could he now be ready to return to the NHL?

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