Hearing: Islanders Interviewing Tampa's Mathieu Darche For General Manager Job
Tampa's assistant GM has been linked to Islanders for a bit. But, given that the Lignting are recently eliminated, now official meetings can occur.
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As the New York Islanders continue their search for their next general manager, I’ve heard that Tampa Bay Lightning assistant GM and Director of Hockey Operations Mathieu Darche will be having an interview.
The 48-year-old executive was part of the Tampa group that beat the New York Islanders in 2020 and 2021, serving under current GM Julien Brisbois. Darche came aboard after Steve Yzerman left for the Detriot Red Wings ahead of the 2019-20 season.
Darche served as Director of Hockey Operations from 2019-2022 before adding assistant GM to his role, and he has served as both ever since.
While Brisbois has called the shots on some significant moves throughout the last few years, including the Mikhail Sergachev trade, not re-signing aging Steven Stamkos, locking up Jake Guentzel, and the acquisitions of Nick Paul and Brandon Hagel, as well as the re-acquisition of Yanni Gourde and Ryan McDonagh, Darche has played his part.
"We identify needs. We identify players that we think some teams might move," Darche said in an interview with Block Party. "Sometimes you call the teams. They say, 'I'm not moving him, I'm not moving him. And sometimes you might call the team you don't expect to move him, but you just give him an offer that, well, now, 'maybe I should move him now.' You want a player. Let's not waste time. 'I want him'. 'Alright, you want this? I'll give him to you because it's going to help us now.'"
Contrary to popular belief, Darche has done contract extension by himself:
The Florida Panthers eliminated Darche and the Lightning in the first round after five games. Brisbois was asked about his staff following the season, stating that he expects everyone back but would not stop anyone from taking a promotion elsewhere.
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Even if Dallas has granted the Islanders permission to speak with their two Assistant General Managers, this could go to Mid to late June on an actual announcement. Is that ideal? No, but if the potential employee’s team is in the Cup Final it is what it is. At this point I rather have the right guy that Collins has ID than have a second or third choice because of his or her availability. The team will function just fine. There are RFA to sign and that could already be taking place. Dobson, Tsyplakov, Romanov, Holmstrom are foundational pieces. Holmstrom and Tsyplakov get bridge contracts. Dobson and Romanov get long term contracts at reasonable AAV. Romanov should come in at 6.5 x 8 Dobson 8.5 x 8. Romanov is an absolute beast that a team has to have to win a Cup. Health is a concern but he is a warrior and has a burning desire to win. With Dobson you just have to have faith he will put it all together soon. Trading either makes no sense! Those figures on the contract are respectable with the Cap expected to go up dramatically in the next few years. Teams future foundational pieces on DCore have to be Dobson Schaffer Romanov.
This first overall pick is Schaffer, there is zero doubt about that pick. Kid has the tools and loves hockey. Got a little bite too, I don’t think he is just an O guy. He has a little nasty and this kid is going to grow! He isn’t as passive and laid back as Noah. I think Noah will take the necessary steps to correct his lack of physicality. These two will make a hell of a D Core. This is going to be a great fit on the Island.