Grueling start to Islanders training camp
Coach Roy said he hopes by getting his players conditioned well, they can avoid the slow starts they've gotten off to in the past two seasons.
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The first day of Islanders training camp was not for the weak. There were players hunched over. Players on a knee. Players looking to the sky as if asking for the day to be over. And it was just the way head coach Patrick Roy said he wanted it.
"We want to raise the bar and there's no better way to do it than on Day 1," said Roy after finishing the last of three camp practices, each ending with a round of sprints up and down the ice. "We want to use this camp to set the tone for the start of our season."
Roy said he hopes by getting his players conditioned well, they can avoid the slow starts they've gotten off to in the past two seasons. Last year's slow start cost head coach Lane Lamber his job. Roy replaced him in mid-January.
He led the Islanders to 20 wins in the final three months, which earned them a playoff spot. Today, he said he's looking forward to having an entire season to build the team.
"The system won't change. What will change is the detail, taking our time to be on the same page. So, if someone is slower right now, I have time for it. in January you don't have time." said Roy.
"We kind of have an idea as to what he wants to accomplish here and have us compete day in and day out. I think what you saw out here today, guys have bought into what he wants,' said an exhausted Casey Cizikas.
Training camp features new forwards Anthony Duclair and Maxim Tsyplakov. It does not feature forward Cal Clutterbuck, whose contract expired and was not re-signed.
Fellow forward Matt Martin is in camp but does not have a contract. He's in camp on a tryout basis, hoping to earn his way back for a 13th season on Long Island.
"I have familiarity with the group so it's good to be back in the locker room and having fun again. Yeah, it's a little bit different," said Martin.
Roy said he'd like to see Martin be part of the team. He told reporters Martin is "an Islander. He's proud of this organization."
But Roy said ultimately Martin's fate will be in the hands of General Manager Lou Lamoriello.
The Isles first preseason game is Sept. 27.
MORE: Interview wit Coach Patrick Roy
