Patrick Roy said it in French and repeated it in English during his pre-match press conference. He didn't see himself as the focal point of his Islanders' clash with the Canadian on Thursday evening. But whether he likes it or not, that's the perception Quebec hockey fans will have of him, wherever his fate takes him. He is the last great legend in the team's history. The only one left in this world.
Roy noted this during the audio-visual tribute he received during the performance of “O Canada.” The crowd gave him a thunderous applause as the giant screens showed images of him in his heyday in a Habs uniform.
But in less time than it took to express it, the Canadian was leading 3-0 and the crowd was cheering!
Despite it.
Too bad for the senators!
For people under 40, Maurice Richard, Jean Béliveau and Guy Lafleur are images on film. But they witnessed Roy's exploits in the forum. They saw him give the Canadian his last two Stanley Cups, the one in 1986 and the one in 1993. They saw him repeat that feat in 1996 and 2001 with the Colorado Avalanche.
For many, the Habs never should have traded Patrick. When he saw the backdrop in Islanders colors during his meeting with reporters, some undoubtedly wished that the backstage area was the one that would have the CH logo. Michael Andlauer may have said to himself that it should have been in Ottawa Senators colors.
Roy didn't bat an eyelid when I asked him about the comments of the Senators' owner, who admitted during an interview with a Gatineau radio station that he had some regrets about not hiring him. He replied that he was happy to be with the islanders and was giving them his full attention.
Andlauer should have told his hockey men to think about it when the time comes instead of waiting until after the season to review the file for the next head coach.
Bad mistake!
The big step was made by Lou Lamoriello. Roy also praised the achievements of his new boss and Jacques Lemaire, who will undoubtedly be a valuable support to him.
A real NHL coach
It's a different coach than the one we saw at the podium with the Colorado Avalanche. Roy was calm, thoughtful and in full possession of his potential. He looks like a real NHL coach now.
Behind this lies a long experience with ups and downs. Yes, he could still make a mistake, but that's specific to the character he is. It won't change at all anyway.
Look at John Tortorella.
He's calmer than when he was with the Tampa Bay Lightning, New York Rangers and Vancouver Canucks, but the fire still burns within him. He wants to win at all costs.
The same applies to his former protégé Martin St-Louis, who must at times feel very alone on the bench of a team in reconstruction.
Rare fact
He and Roy sat on the bench of NHL teams with great reputations as players. These are two members of the Hockey Hall of Fame from Quebec who competed against each other last night.
It's rare!
It may be that it never happened.
There's a saying that great players don't make good coaches. There may be some truth to that. “Toe” Blake, winner of three Stanley Cups as a player and mastermind of eight Cup conquests, spent 13 years behind the Canadiens bench.
Knowing Roy, he dreams of winning the trophy as a coach. It is one of the rare feats of arms missing from his record, another being the Olympic gold medal.
Will he be able to turn the Islanders into a championship team?
At first glance this seems unlikely. If so, he'll have to hurry because he's dealing with an aging team.
But count on him to pass on his passion to his players.