New York Islanders: First Press Conference with GM Mathieu Darche @ 11:00 AM

[MarsTBOW]

Very Refreshing to actually hear the prognosis on our #1 Center's injury....

 

[MJF]

This one is interesting because they decided to get rid of the radio crew. I'd think having unique experiences would help foster what they're looking to create.

I can't believe anybody is still pining away for an individual radio crew. I don’t know anybody who listened to King and Picker, either PxP or postgame,

 

[PK Cronin]

I can't believe anybody is still pining away for an individual radio crew. I don’t know anybody who listened to King and Picker, either PxP or postgame,

I commented at the time that I certainly didn't enjoy them in that role, it's just an interesting decision to do away with having a crew altogether if the goal is to create touch points for Long Island hockey. Having more personalities and options for people creates more opportunities to build the connections they're seeking.

 

[MJF]

I commented at the time that I certainly didn't enjoy them in that role, it's just an interesting decision to do away with having a crew altogether if the goal is to create touch points for Long Island hockey. Having more personalities and options for people creates more opportunities to build the connections they're seeking.

I don’t think it creates a touchpoint. All I see is a money loser that probably draws a few hundred people a game to their broadcasts.

If there is such a demand for Chris King, maybe Collins will keep him around in a PR role for the team. Use him as a host on video features.

 

[SI90]

I think Darche should be given a long leash to put his prints on the Franchise. Love what he was saying about his philosophy on player development.

• He wants to play fast paced and pressure teams( this aligns with Roy and when I heard this I got aroused)
• He believes in player development organizationally. AHL is important. Prospects are important.
• Bringing back prospect development camp. Will have specialized coaches for development in skating and skills
• All new AHL coaching staff(Thank god)
• McClean and Albalin out. Roy will get to pick his coaching staff with Darche assisting in search.
• Wouldn’t answer on AHL management but if I had to guess eventually Chris Lamoriello will be terminated.
• He’s going to look to enhance areas of the organization. He’s a team builder.
• He’s spoken to almost all current players and will have convos with agents for UFAs and RFAs in the coming weeks.

Overall, I believe it’s all great stuff from Darche and I truly believe he’s going to make the organization better in many areas as far as scouting department management and coaching in the minors and played a development. If I had to guess I don’t think he’s going to tear the roster down right away. It sounds like he wants to compete now and also build for the future similar to Tampa Bay.



Tampa Bay competes every year makes the playoffs, but they have a very good minor league system and always have guys coming up that they have developed. I think he will look to replicate that. Once he evaluates the roster during the season, I could see him making changes and after next season, I think we’ll see more changes at the NHL level.



I’m really excited though, and I have a lot of faith in Darche. I couldn’t be happier right now with the selection overall though we have have to win and see improvement and I think that will happen.

 

[scott99]

Holy Schnicke (in a French Canadian accent, so not Schnickes). I love this guy. He was really transparent ! Talked about coaches and assistant coaches in NY AND Bridgeport, did NOT expect that. Was transparent about Horvat’s injury, Lou never did that. I like that Darche will report directly to me, they kept saying he will report directly to Scott, so I’m very honored.

Kinda surprised he kept Roy, considering it looked like his team quit on him late in the season. Also, his system seemed to be unsuccessful for the players he had, especially defensively, yet Darche kept talking about wanting to defend well. But since I’m a Roy fan, I’m happy for him.

I loved what he said about the #1 pick, the way he talked about it, it sounds like they are 99.99% going to make the selection at 1. I also think they know who they are taking. Him talking about defending being so important, but also need to be aggressive offensively, maybe that’s a hint they are leaning towards Schaefer.

I’m 62 years old, been an Isle’s fan since 1975, so I’ve seen it all, and besides the 4 Cups which I was lucky enough to witness from ages 17-20, there have been many milestones (both good and bad), this one has me extremely excited. Darche was who I wanted since they made the announcement that Lou won’t be coming back. And this press conference reinforced that hope by 1000 %

 

[BrockLobster]

With attendance issues at UBS I think introducing a cheaper alternative for people to get their hockey fix could create competition with itself and that might not be a good thing. The other side is that it could help create a greater interest/connection with the community if both teams are doing well or players go from the AHL to the NHL.

How many teams have their AHL team right next door to where they play like that? I'm not an AHL expert but I can't think of many. The Flyers are close, but not that close.

Sharks and barricuda play in same arena. Thats pretty close.

 

[MikeyMike01]

Lamoriello is great for most of the players because he blocks the outside noise more than anyone. He's bad for the fans because he reduces access to the thing we're all obsessed with.

I could not give less of a shit about ‘fan interactions’. It gives off New York Jets style look-at-me loser-mentality energy.

Just win on the ice. That’s what matters.

 

[Mr Misunderstood]

AHL will be "enhanced" - this could mean Chris L sticks around

Chris L is getting a boob job?

 

[duster19]

I think Darche should be given a long leash to put his prints on the Franchise. Love what he was saying about his philosophy on player development.

• He wants to play fast paced and pressure teams( this aligns with Roy and when I heard this I got aroused)
• He believes in player development organizationally. AHL is important. Prospects are important.
• Bringing back prospect development camp. Will have specialized coaches for development in skating and skills
• All new AHL coaching staff(Thank god)
• McClean and Albalin out. Roy will get to pick his coaching staff with Darche assisting in search.
• Wouldn’t answer on AHL management but if I had to guess eventually Chris Lamoriello will be terminated.
• He’s going to look to enhance areas of the organization. He’s a team builder.
• He’s spoken to almost all current players and will have convos with agents for UFAs and RFAs in the coming weeks.

Overall, I believe it’s all great stuff from Darche and I truly believe he’s going to make the organization better in many areas as far as scouting department management and coaching in the minors and played a development. If I had to guess I don’t think he’s going to tear the roster down right away. It sounds like he wants to compete now and also build for the future similar to Tampa Bay.



Tampa Bay competes every year makes the playoffs, but they have a very good minor league system and always have guys coming up that they have developed. I think he will look to replicate that. Once he evaluates the roster during the season, I could see him making changes and after next season, I think we’ll see more changes at the NHL level.



I’m really excited though, and I have a lot of faith in Darche. I couldn’t be happier right now with the selection overall though we have have to win and see improvement and I think that will happen.

Very refreshing approach to communication. Talk and action are very different but overall I thought a really good start. Feels like there is some excitement around the organization that has really lapses over last few years. Still think there is lots of work to do around the governance structure.

 

[periferal]

Compared with 2 months ago I feel like we were released from prison.

 

[BrockLobster]

I am really impressed w this guy. Should be a fun offseason.

 

[MJF]

I could not give less of a shit about ‘fan interactions’. It gives off New York Jets style look-at-me loser-mentality energy.

Just win on the ice. That’s what matters.

The Islanders HAVE TO have fan interactions. This isn’t the NFL. We’re the 2nd NHL team in NY. A sport that still is lowest in the sports landscape here. Hockey relies on the gate more than any other sport in the 4 majors and they don’t draw dick. So the Islanders have to do stuff to get their perception improved in the public eye.

 

[scott99]

I commented at the time that I certainly didn't enjoy them in that role, it's just an interesting decision to do away with having a crew altogether if the goal is to create touch points for Long Island hockey. Having more personalities and options for people creates more opportunities to build the connections they're seeking.

Let’s face it, radio is dead. Hardly anyone listens to radio stations anymore. As an old geezer, kinda makes me sad. I grew up listening to John Sterling and Bob Lawrence, and then during the Cup years, Barry Landers and Jean Potvin. But radio has been dead for a couple of years now, back in the day if you were away from home, you listened to the radio broadcast, but now you can watch the game, on your phone or tablet (audio and video).

 

[Strummergas]

The Islanders HAVE TO have fan interactions. This isn’t the NFL. We’re the 2nd NHL team in NY. A sport that still is lowest in the sports landscape here. Hockey relies on the gate more than any other sport in the 4 majors and they don’t draw dick. So the Islanders have to do stuff to get their perception improved in the public eye.

And it's a great way to turn people into fans at a young age. I'd much rather they focus their attention on kids during these "interactions" than during games (though the annual "kids game" is always a good day to spend with my young nieces).

 

[The Real JT]

Compared with 2 months ago I feel like we were released from prison.

Alex, I’ll take “Things that Joel Quenneville might say for $200”

 

[SI90]

For those worried about chris Neporriello even if he’s the GM on paper for the next year or so I believe after hearing from Darche that Darche will 100% have his hands on the roster and decisions in Bridgeport. Lou Definitely just let his son do whatever he wanted. Won’t be the case with Darche.

 

[MikeyMike01]

The Islanders HAVE TO have fan interactions. This isn’t the NFL. We’re the 2nd NHL team in NY. A sport that still is lowest in the sports landscape here. Hockey relies on the gate more than any other sport in the 4 majors and they don’t draw dick. So the Islanders have to do stuff to get their perception improved in the public eye.

The team? Sure.

The GM? Absolutely not.

 

[SI90]

 

[MJF]

The team? Sure.

The GM? Absolutely not.

Lou kept a tight lid on player access. To him, the locker room was their sanctuary. It doesn’t work in the 21st century anymore. Sports is entertainment and the Islanders are competing for people’s attention. Fans like to feel connected to their teams and this ownership/management combo is going to make that happen more than ever before.

 

[PK Cronin]

I don’t think it creates a touchpoint. All I see is a money loser that probably draws a few hundred people a game to their broadcasts.

If there is such a demand for Chris King, maybe Collins will keep him around in a PR role for the team. Use him as a host on video features.

I think it's a money loser too, but there's probably a way to do it cheaper to make it a winner. Just off the top of my head, having a simulcast/podcast where they have a different former Islander on each game could garner interest beyond just being a radio broadcast of the game.

 

[MJF]

I think it's a money loser too, but there's probably a way to do it cheaper to make it a winner. Just off the top of my head, having a simulcast/podcast where they have a different former Islander on each game could garner interest beyond just being a radio broadcast of the game.

Maybe the team will create something like the Sharks have, turned their radio crew into the “Sharks Audio Network”. Their radio PBP guy also does all the on-ice ceremonies and hosts videos, narrates highlight packages.

Again I think this comes down to whether Collins values Chris King or not.

 

[SI90]

Whoaaaaaaa!!! Summer injury updates with exact timetables. Nice!!!

 

[SI90]

 

[PK Cronin]

Maybe the team will create something like the Sharks have, turned their radio crew into the “Sharks Audio Network”. Their radio PBP guy also does all the on-ice ceremonies and hosts videos, narrates highlight packages.

Again I think this comes down to whether Collins values Chris King or not.

Chris King (and Picker) are the parts I care about least in that whole situation.

That's a cool thing the Sharks do. It helps re-enforce the ownership of the material put out. Maybe it sounds dumb but hearing Howie Rose or Brendan Burke making a call adds a little something instead of hearing Kenny Albert (who I think is great) on a historic call for the team. Those are the people we know and listen to, they're the ones I want to hear doing all of the things you mentioned.