from Larry Brooks of The New York Post,

Patrick Roy did not have to talk about the “magnitude of me,” to borrow a phrase from Reggie Jackson of 1978 vintage. The Canadiens took those words out of his mouth upon the iconic No. 33’s return to Montreal on Thursday when he strode behind the Islanders bench in his capacity as head coach.

We have always known that Roy is Royalty in Montreal, but a national monument across the border? Conflating the Hall of Fame netminder with the country of Canada was a bit much, don’t you think, when the Habs welcomed him back with a video tribute synched to the national anthem?

Roy was back in his element in the Montreal rink at which he had not been featured since Nov. 14, 2015, when he coached the Avalanche against the Habs. Nearly nine years of hearts growing fonder for the legend who somewhat incongruously returned with the Islanders.

The coach had been exiled from the NHL following his messy exit from Colorado and unkempt split from Joe Sakic following the 2015-16 season. Job after job came up. Job after job went without Roy getting an interview, even last summer after coaching the QMJHL Quebec Remparts to the Memorial Cup. Somehow, Roy had become radioactive. Somehow, Roy had become too big for an organization.

Until Lou.

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