Lambert is an internal promotion, having served as an associate coach with the team since the 2018-19 season.
With Lambert, the Islanders find their successor to the previously fired Barry Trotz.
Lambert will look to return the Islanders to the playoffs after the team missed out this season. This is a team which reached the Eastern Conference Finals in the previous two seasons.
What will be interesting to watch unfold is how the team responds to Lambert, a first-time NHL head coach.
Lambert, however, did run the show for two weeks in January when Trotz was away from the team for personal and health reasons.
Islanders general manager Lou Lamoriello said the following today regarding his hiring:
“I had the opportunity to work with Lane over the past four years, which includes spending time with him on a one-on-one basis when he served as the interim Head Coach this past season. In my opinion, he is the right person to coach this team.”
After serving as Trotz’s top assistant for more than a decade, including all four years he spent on Long Island, he’s now officially the new voice in the room Lamoriello was looking for.
Lambert becomes the 18th person to coach the Islanders and the fourth in the past 10 years.
Anthony Rushing is on Twitter @TonyRushingNY
Baseline Sports NY is on Twitter @Baseline_NY
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