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Around the NHL: Islanders fire Patrick Roy, name Peter DeBoer replacement, Matthew Schaefer sets NHL record
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Photo credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images
Jeremy Tingly
Apr 6, 2026, 10:00 EDTUpdated: Apr 6, 2026, 09:36 EDT
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Welcome back to another edition of Around the NHL, as we have just two weeks left in the 2025-26 regular season. Stanley Cup Playoff races are tightening up in a major way in both conferences, with teams trying to string as many wins as possible down the stretch.
While there’s certainly been lots of news on the ice, it’s news off the ice that once again takes the cake this week. Without further ado, here’s the very latest from around the NHL:

New York Islanders fire Patrick Roy, hire Peter DeBoer to long-term contract

With just four games left in their regular season, and sitting in the second wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference, the New York Islanders made a shocking announcement on Sunday, firing head coach Patrick Roy. General manager Mathieu Darche decided Peter DeBoer was going to be his bench boss moving forward, landing DeBoer on a reported five-year deal.
Roy had two seasons left on his contract and is now out of work with just two weeks left in the regular season. He led the Isles to a 42-31-5 record this season, however, the team has lost four in a row and is 3-7 in their last 10 games. Roy was hired back in January of 2024, and there’s reports tensions were rising with a few of his veteran players the past couple of weeks.
DeBoer is back behind an NHL bench after previously serving as the Dallas Stars head coach. The Stars fired DeBoer last June after leading the team to three consecutive trips to the Western Conference final. DeBoer’s also coached the Vegas Golden Knights, San Jose Sharks, New Jersey Devils, and Florida Panthers. If Craig Berube winds up getting let go this summer, DeBoer was certainly going to be linked to the Toronto Maple Leafs head coaching position, but Darche and the Islanders had other ideas.

Matthew Schaefer breaks NHL record for points by 18-year-old defenceman

Staying on Long Island, DeBoer is going to be thrilled to coach generational talent Matthew Schaefer. The rookie defenceman has taken the world by storm and is setting records all over the place, including breaking the NHL record for points by a 18-year-old defenceman.
Schaefer notched his 58th point over the weekend and broke Hall of Famer Phil Housley’s record, who set the mark back in 1982-83 as a member of the Buffalo Sabres. Housley actually finished with 66 points that season but had turned 19 in March.
Schaefer currently sits 11th on the list for most points by a rookie defenceman, which belongs to former Toronto Maple Leaf Larry Murphy, who set the mark back in 1980-81. Schaefer is just one goal back of matching Brian Leetch’s record of 23 goals by a rookie d-man, and with four games remaining, there’s certainly a chance he at least ties, if not, breaks the record.

Quick hits from around the NHL

  • Philadelphia Flyers rookie Porter Martone scored his first goal of his career, notching the overtime winner for the Flyers in a pivotal win Sunday vs. the Boston Bruins.
  • Rejoice in Sabrehood, as the Buffalo Sabres clinched a playoff spot for the first time in 14 seasons.
  • The Montreal Canadiens hit the 100-point mark for the first time in nine years and look like a serious contender to come out of the Eastern Conference.
  • Pittsburgh Penguins’ Sidney Crosby had three points Sunday and secured himself his 21st NHL season in a row averaging more than a point-a-game.
  • There’s growing speculation that the New Jersey Devils could be next to make personnel moves, as both GM Tom Fitzgerald and head coach Sheldon Keefe are on the hot seat.
  • The Devils are also expected to trade defenceman Dougie Hamilton this offseason, as things could look much different in New Jersey next season.
  • Random moment from the weekend goes to a baby being born Saturday night at Rogers Arena during the Edmonton Oilers/Golden Knights game.
  • Tampa Bay Lightning defenceman Darren Raddysh scored his 21st goal of the season, setting a new franchise mark. Raddysh will be hitting the free-agent market this offseason and is in line for a huge pay day.
  • Darren Dreger feels if Bruce Cassidy is back in the NHL next season, the Maple Leafs aren’t likely near the top of his preferred destinations.
  • The Fourth Period’s David Pagnotta feels the St. Louis Blues will trade Jordan Kyrou this summer.
  • After a wild week on and off the ice, lots of rumors circulating that Brady Tkachuk could ask for a trade out of Ottawa this offseason.
  • The Athletic’s Josh Yohe feels the Penguins are going to be the most aggressive team to watch this summer, as they have loads of draft picks, cap space, and young players, who appeal to other teams.
  • Yohe also stands by his notion that this is Evgeni Malkin’s last season in Pittsburgh.
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