Marc Bergevin, The Islanders & Patrick Roy
The Islanders are expected to interview Marc Bergevin for their vacant president and general manager position.
This story has been updated.
With the Los Angeles Kings closing in on naming Ken Holland their next general manager, Marc Bergevin is back as a likely spot for Marc Bergevin to land.
Bergevin and the Islanders have reportedly had conversations in the past, and it is believed that more will occur this week in the wake of the Holland news.
Bergevin, who played for the Islanders from 1988 to 89, served as the Montreal Canadiens' GM and VP of Hockey Operations from 2012 to 2021 before being relieved of his duties.
Prior to that, the 20-year NHLer worked for the Chicago Blackhawks, first as a scout from 2005-2008, then as an assistant coach (2008-09) before becoming the Director of Player Personnel (2010-2012) and then their assistant GM in 2011-12).
Bergevin has served as the Senior Advisor in LA since the middle of the 2021-22 season.
The 59-year-old has the experience that Islanders ownership is looking for.
Like every executive, Bergevin has made great moves and also had his fair share of moves that did not pan out.
Sportsnet’s Mike Johnston had a fantastic piece on the moves, good and bad, Bergevin made during his time with Montreal: HERE
The Islanders need someone to come in, make a statement, and do what’s necessary to get this team back on track. Loyalty can only go so far.
On June 29, 2016, Bergevin traded defenseman P.K. Subban to the Nashville Predators in exchange for future Hockey Hall of Famer Shea Weber.
Subban, who had just finished the second season of an eight-year deal worth $9 million, was one of the best offensive defensemen in the league at the time.
It was a difficult decision to make on both sides with Weber Nashville’s captain, but Bergevin believed he was making a move that would better his hockey club.
Weber played a huge role in the Canadiens advancing to the 2021 Stanley Cup Final before they fell to the Tampa Bay Lightning in five games, the team that knocked the Islanders out in the Eastern Conference Finals for a second straight season.
Unfortunately for Weber, he never played another NHL game after truly putting his body on the line to try and win the Stanley Cup.
The Islanders also need an executive with an eye for evaluating talent and developing it.
One of the greatest moves, if not the greatest, of Bergevin’s time with Montreal was when he acquired centerman Nick Suzuki, the 13th overall pick of the Vegas Golden Knights back in the 2017 NHL Draft.
Suzuki came to Montreal in the trade that sent Max Pacioretty to Vegas on Sept. 10, 2018.
The 25-year-old has emerged as probably the most underrated No. 1 centerman in the NHL. It also was a move, as the Weber moved later on, that showed Bergevin’s willingness to move on from longtime players to do what’s best for the future of the hockey team.
Under Bergevin, the Canadiens made 77 picks, with a first-round pick in each season he was at the helm. Eight of his 10 first-round picks have played 100 or more NHL games.
He’ll have the No. 1 pick if he joins the Islanders.
Bergevin does have a history with Islanders head coach Patrick Roy, whose future as their bench boss rests in the hands of whoever is brought aboard.
The two went up against each other during their careers, with Bergevin at the Old Forum on Dec. 2, 1995, in what became Roy’s final game with Montreal.
Bergevin and the Detroit Red Wings beat Roy 11-1, who was forced to wear it, leading to his quick departure to the Colorado Avalanche.
Regarding Roy’s future, the players in the room love his mentality and seem to understand what’s being asked of them at 5-on-5.
If Roy is back, the belief is that he would get to choose his assistant coaches, outside Benoit Desrosiers, who had the Islanders first in the NHL in the face-off dot (54.9%).
Usually, a new GM picks his own coach, but maybe Bergevin will stick with his fellow Québécois. Also, at this point in time, is there a better coach available on the market?
We’ll keep you updated, as always, if we learn more.
SIGN YOUR CHILD UP FOR THE MATT MARTIN HOCKEY ACADEMY CAMP:
Last Night was the classic example of the Power and Importance of a Power Forward. Mikko Tuchuck McKinnon Tom Wilson Stone. All these guys bring their little twists to the game. However they all have the size and toughness to cut through tight checking playoff hockey. Obviously we need one of those guys, they usually need to be drafted. The Caps did a great job drafting Leonard, he is young but he stakes well but heavy like the classic power forward. Hopefully we can draft Size and Speed going forward. I think skating must be prioritized for Islanders draft picks. Lee played well this year, there is a space on this team for him. He is the closest thing to a Power Forward we have. This is his last year, so with all our needs we need some physical fast forwards.
Patrick is going to be behind the bench maybe more.