What’s What In Islanderville After Hiring Mathieu Darche
The Islanders' press release was very telling as to the path the franchise will be going.
Welcome to Free Friday, Elmonters!
On Friday afternoon, the New York Islanders officially hired Mathieu Darche.
He will serve as the club’s general manager and Executive Vice President of Hockey Operations.
I’m told the Islanders are not hiring a president.
The Islanders’ press release began with the following: “The New York Islanders today named Mathieu Darche the General Manager and Executive Vice President. Darche will manage all aspects of the team's hockey operations.”
Then, quotes from John Collins, the club’s operating partner, followed by words from Darche:
Collins: "Mathieu is the perfect choice to lead our hockey operations. He will be given every resource available to put the Islanders first-in-class on the ice, with our business initiatives, and in the community. Mathieu has served as a key member of the Tampa Bay Lightning and has a diverse background in top-level business models. He is a proven winner and is committed, as is our ownership group, to building a group that will be highly competitive next season and beyond."
"With the Islanders owning the first overall pick in the upcoming NHL Draft and preparing to welcome the Olympic sendoff at UBS Arena next season, there is much to which our franchise, our players, and our passionate fans can look forward. Mathieu's arrival adds to that momentum."
Darche: “I am truly honored by the opportunity to be the New York Islanders General Manager and Executive Vice President. I'd like to thank Scott Malkin, Jon Ledecky, John Collins, and the entire ownership group for entrusting me with the hockey operations of this great franchise."
The biggest takeaways:
Darche will have the final say in all hockey operation decisions: There have been rumors that Lou Lamoriello, whose contract expires on July 1, will still be involved in some capacity, potentially as a special advisor to ownership. As of now, I don’t believe that will be the case. Regardless, it’s Darche’s team from top to bottom. He’ll report to ownership, not to a president.
The plan is to be highly competitive in 2025-26 and beyond: After a few years of mediocrity, the Islanders had choices. They could rebuild — never was going to happen — retool or go for it. It would not have been a shock to see the club take a few steps back — retool — to take significant leaps forward. But, per the release, the goal is to be “highly competitive” this upcoming season. While actions will speak louder than words, could we see Darche be aggressive in clearing cap space to make a run at Mitch Marner, Nikolaj Ehlers, or someone else? Will Darche be aggressive at the draft in flipping assets for NHL-ready players? What about calling up Isaac Howard, the Lightning’s 31st overall pick from 2022, who did not agree on a contract with GM Julien Brisebois? The Islanders have the No. 1 overall pick in the draft, a player who will impact their future potentially as early as next season and for years to come.
SIGN YOUR CHILD UP FOR THE MATT MARTIN HOCKEY ACADEMY CAMP:
Howard's good but I wouldn't trade the first round pick on him, too small.
I guess Patrick Roy has a little too much testosterone for Ethan Sears. He has wrote a few articles in hopes of Roy getting fired. Why? I think Patrick has been fine. Darche is most likely excited to work with the Greatest Goalie to ever play the game. Patrick will be the coach of this team for years. I think getting him more talent should be Darche’s priority. There is no PP no PK and that is a talent based problem. NHL .500 with that roster and those injuries?????? lol Patrick will turn out as good and as respected as Jon Cooper. Barry Lane and Patrick were saddled with teams with not enough talent, Period. As the team aged they invariably got worse. I would argue all three coaches were very good. To cover this team and try and scapegoat Patrick is strange. I guess Sears is a Fake News Guy.