Since Patrick Roy left his roles as general manager and head coach of the Quebec Remparts, his name has immediately surfaced in various rumors regarding a possible return to the NHL. However, as of January 10, 2024, the former Canadiens goaltender has not yet accepted any offers, fully enjoying his "retirement."
However, in the last few minutes, major information was disclosed by sports columnist Ray Cloutier. Indeed, according to his information, Patrick Roy turned down two proposals to join teams in the Western Conference.
Patrick Roy has refused two offers from Western teams to return to the NHL. - Via FM93
Having had the opportunity to spend a day with the famous number 33 in Florida, he confirmed to Cloutier that he wanted to take a step back this season in order to distance himself from hockey for the first time in many years. Moreover, he also indicated that the travel and time zone differences in the West motivated him to decline these two opportunities.
Unfortunately, Patrick Roy chose to keep the names of the two teams that approached him at the start of the season confidential.
It's much more difficult to travel in the West than in the East. [...] In Denver, there was very, very often jet lag. Over time, for travel, he had already told me that and I think that's one of the reasons why it interests him less. As you get older, these little details become important in your eyes, in your decisions, I believe.
- Ray Cloutier
Wow! This is interesting!
This means that Patrick Roy could indeed have made his grand return to the NHL this year, but the offers made to him did not perfectly match what he was hoping for. Could an offer from the East, say with the Ottawa Senators, change his mind and bring him out of retirement?
Certainly, this will be a story to watch over the coming weeks.
