Lambert Prepared for First Chance as Head Coach

Lane Lambert had been preparing for a day like Monday for a long time.
He'd worked for 11 years in the NHL as an Assistant and later an Associate Coach. He'd spent four years as a Head Coach in the American Hockey League, plus another two years as an assistant. Before that, the Melfort, SK, native was coaching in the Western Hockey League.
All of that patience and preparation paid off, as Lambert was tapped
as the newest Head Coach of the New York Islanders
- his first NHL head coaching job.

"It's a good day," Lambert said in an introductory Zoom call. "It's something I have been preparing for, for a long time throughout many years in the game and many years as a coach. There's a level of excitement for sure from a family standpoint and everything like that."

After seeing Lambert's preparation firsthand throughout his four years as an Islanders Associate Coach, Islanders President and General Manager Lou Lamoriello felt comfortable promoting Lambert. Lamoriello also highlighted the way Lambert handled his two weeks as the team's interim coach in early January as a factor in his decision.
"I was extremely impressed with the way he handled each and every situation," Lamoriello said. "Obviously I'm totally comfortable and I feel it's a great day for the New York Islanders."
Lamoriello specifically praised Lambert's decision making, comfort with being a decisive voice, as well as his systematic preparations, during his stretch as interim coach, guiding the Isles to a 2-1-0 record.
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"He was totally comfortable in his own skin, to make the decisions that had to be made," Lamoriello added.
Lambert cited his knowledge and experience with the current Islanders team as an advantage heading into his new role. The Islanders core has remained largely intact over Lambert's four years with the team.
"I think it's a real tremendous advantage," Lambert said. "I've been here for four years I've been working with each individual, for that period of time for the most part and I think it gives us an advantage to hit the ground running. We certainly have a good relationship. And I think you know, a lot of the players are excited by the fact that they have someone that's familiar with them coming as well."

While Lambert said he plans to reevaluate and improve the team over the summer, the coach added he wants to maintain the Islanders identity forged over the past four seasons. The Islanders have averaged the second-fewest goals against per game (2.56) since the start of the 2018-19 season.
"The one thing that that will never change is our identity," Lambert said. "We want to be hard to play against and that's just who we are and that that will never change."
Lambert had worked alongside Barry Trotz for the past 11 years in Nashville (2011-14), Washington (2014-18) and with the Islanders (2018-22), so part of the team's identity going forward will be the one they built as a coaching staff. However, Lambert being in the driver's seat gives the Islanders a different perspective, which Lamoriello highlighted.
"That new voice is here with Lane," Lamoriello said. "You learn when you're an Assistant Coach sometimes more of what you wouldn't do and in some times what you would do and vice versa… I would say a big new voice in that because we're talking about two totally different personalities with reference to Barry and Lane."
Lambert said he spoke with Trotz and that the former Islanders coach was "thrilled" for him to get the opportunity. It's certainly one Lambert has been waiting and working for, for a long time.
"I just focus on doing the best job I can, no matter what my role is, or my position is and you work hard and good things happen," Lambert said. "It's a privilege to be in the National Hockey League. I just worked hard and prepared for potentially one day having this opportunity."