New York Islanders: Mathieu Darche is named GM of the New York Islanders

[Surfer Dude]

is there any info or speculation on how long the contract is? 3 or 5 years? this could indicate the level of security the new GM will have to make intermediate retool vs long term rebuild

 

[LAIslanderFan]

I think the first move Darche needs to make is to replace Chris (Fredo) Lamoriello.
First because he's incompetent, but second and I think more importantly, he needs
to send a message to everyone, especially Lou (who's probably an intimidating figure due to all of the years he's given to the NHL) that he's taking the reigns and in charge and not afraid to make controversial moves. Controversial in the sense that Lou probably still casts a long shadow in the organization, and he's apparently going to be an adviser to the ownership.

 

[Konk]

I don’t think it is a rule but rather a negotiation. Any new GM that is currently employed must be let out of a contract. The old organization does so under the condition the new GM can’t participate in the new teams draft.

Right, we've seen these agreements before.

We do not have any info on whether this is the case with Darche, however, and ultimately until we do I'm expecting him to be involved at the draft.

We'll see if any info comes out that changes that.

 

[Lafleurs Guy]

I was saying this since Bergevin's name was mentioned as a possible Lou replacement...

If we hired him Habs fans were going to come out of the woodwork to tell us what a mistake we made.

Instead we have Habs fans telling us what a bullet we just dodged.

I knew this was going to happen. Why you ask...? BECAUSE BERGEVIN IS A TERRIBLE CHOICE FOR GM. Habs fans experienced it, and yet some here were banking on Bergevin "learning from his mistakes."

I am beyond relieved we didn't make that horrible mistake.

He was the worst GM at the worst time for us. He took over a young promising team and had the third overall pick.

I won’t get into the gory details but that team didn’t need much. It definitely had holes but it had some great talent and Carey Price was in his prime. Just a complete waste.

Be glad. Be very, very glad.

 

[Kimota]

Two good news for you guys, a fresh new young GM and no Shanny. It's better having Darche getting free reign than a fool overing above him like Shanny did in Toronto.

 

[NC 1972]

I think the first move Darche needs to make is to replace Chris (Fredo) Lamoriello.
First because he's incompetent, but second and I think more importantly, he needs
to send a message to everyone, especially Lou (who's probably an intimidating figure due to all of the years he's given to the NHL) that he's taking the reigns and in charge and not afraid to make controversial moves. Controversial in the sense that Lou probably still casts a long shadow in the organization, and he's apparently going to be an adviser to the ownership.

When a new Alpha Male lion takes over a pride the first thing he does is kill all of the previous Alphas males , male spawn. Sorry Chris !

 

[FF de Mars]

Darche is legit, congrats.

 

[impaaaaaact]

In Montreal, a few hockey insiders say that Darche would not take a job where he would only execute other people's decisions, and most likely has full autonomy. They also expect Darche to eventually bring on board his very close friend Guy Boucher, former Lightning and Senators head coach.

hmmmmmm maybe he can bring sharipzyanov with him. or we can add another #1 overall in Yakupov

had to look up if he was related to Reid Boucher, who plays for them as well. He is NOT so we don't need to worry about that one

 

[The Last Red]

Just curious, where did you see Collins as interim President?

They don't really need a President. Sounds like Darche has full autonomy and control, so that kinda throws continuing to search for a President out the window.

Too much work for one person. They’ll have to hire someone else.

 

[crashthenet]

I think this is the right move but kinda funny for the Lou haters. Lou must go so he doesn't trade draft picks or bring in/ re-sign old guys. I dont think Tampa has developed a single player or drafted a player of consequence since Yzerman left.

It will be interesting to see what the relationship will be like between Darche and Roy.

 

[Chockey22]

Like others, I think this was the best move available to the Isles; only time will tell if it was the right move. He seems to be very highly regarded, but don’t forget all new GM’s (with the exception of Snow) were highly regarded at some point. The key thing that stood out to me was the message that they expect the team to be competitive next year, so clearly no rebuild. We basically have a month or so to wait to see how deep the retool will be.

 

[12Dog]

I think the first move Darche needs to make is to replace Chris (Fredo) Lamoriello.
First because he's incompetent, but second and I think more importantly, he needs
to send a message to everyone, especially Lou (who's probably an intimidating figure due to all of the years he's given to the NHL) that he's taking the reigns and in charge and not afraid to make controversial moves. Controversial in the sense that Lou probably still casts a long shadow in the organization, and he's apparently going to be an adviser to the ownership.

For sure
Sever any conduit to Lou, Darche needs not to be playing that game, let him speak directly to ownership, and I would hope he’s smart enough to know it
And I seriously doubt son of Lou gets any NHL job, in any capacity without dad making a phone call
My guess? The “kid” gets a job with either a college team or in the NHL office

 

[SRBisles]

Hoping we get a press conference or at least a phone call after the holiday weekend. The statements today were very generic.

 

[seafoam]

First order of business is figuring out what the hell to do with Noah Dobson.

 

[doublechili]

How can we find out for sure if Darche will be allowed at the draft? If it really is up to the Lightning it would be awefully petty of them to not allow him to fully run it for the Isles.

Darche was announced as the new GM, and he's already on the Isles website as GM. He's the GM. I'm pretty sure TBL can't restrict him. If they were going to do that, they would not have released Darche from his position until after the draft. But he works for the Isles right now.

 

[Konk]

Too much work for one person. They’ll have to hire someone else.

There are other examples in the NBA, MLB, and NFL of GM/EVPs with no President in the management structure. There are also plenty of examples where the President and GM roles are held by one individual.

Also, Darche has previous been a VP outside of sports, so it's not as if he has no prior Executive level experience.

Not to mention, it's already reported they aren't seeking a President to be over Darche.

 

[periferal]

I think this is the right move but kinda funny for the Lou haters. Lou must go so he doesn't trade draft picks or bring in/ re-sign old guys. I dont think Tampa has developed a single player or drafted a player of consequence since Yzerman left.

Not really sure of your point here. Are you saying that "Lou haters" are going to be frustrated because they hated when Lou traded 1st rounders...And that's what the Lightning have done the past few years?

I hope that's not what you're saying.

 

[SI90]

First order of business is figuring out what the hell to do with Noah Dobson.

8 years $8.5-$9mil AAV

 

[periferal]

Hoping we get a press conference or at least a phone call after the holiday weekend. The statements today were very generic.

Was wondering about this. I know we're not the Leafs in terms of size, money, employees, reach, or fanbase....But they had a full-scale "White House style" press conference today for the MLSE President that was streamed live on Sportsnet...



How come the Islanders can't have a press conference/media room where they do the same, but on the smaller scale? Because in terms of Islanders team news/announcements it doesn't get much bigger than today...And yet we only get a few people on twitter relaying quotes?

Come on Islanders? Do better. Give us a live stream of the announcement.

 

[doublechili]

I've been saying for awhile that the key to the rebuild vs retool thing is getting the right GM, specifically a smart, proactive person who can make moves to simultaneously improve the team now and build the pipeline. Hopefully Darche is that guy. I love that he says he plans the cap a few years in advance, and that he has made deals to get picks for cap compliance moves. Be creative to maximize assets.

Like, if Horvat is out for half+ of next season, sign a veteran C to a 1 year deal and overpay him some to do it, then after Horvat comes back trade the other guy at the TDL and get a 1st or 2d round pick. Just making stuff up, but Lou would not have done something like that.

 

[doublechili]

Was wondering about this. I know we're not the Leafs in terms of size, money, employees, reach, or fanbase....But they had a full-scale "White House style" press conference today for the MLSE President that was streamed live on Sportsnet...



How come the Islanders can't have a press conference/media room where they do the same, but on the smaller scale? Because in terms of Islanders team news/announcements it doesn't get much bigger than today...And yet we only get a few people on twitter relaying quotes?

Come on Islanders? Do better. Give us a live stream of the announcement.

This is one time I'll agree with the center of the hockey universe thing. Our press conference room would look silly with empty chairs except for Gross, Rosner and maybe a couple of bloggers if they have free food.

 

[SI90]

Just learned his Brother used to play in the NFL, then when he retired he became a doctor and is now a team physician with the Chiefs.

Good bloodlines

 

[periferal]

This is one time I'll agree with the center of the hockey universe thing. Our press conference room would look silly with empty chairs except for Gross, Rosner and maybe a couple of bloggers if they have free food.

The "press conference room" doesn't need to be the size of a library. And it can be all virtual. Just have the Isles logo up in the background and Malkin/Collins/Darche sitting at a table making the announcement and fielding calls/questions virtually. There's just no reason to not introduce the guy running the entire franchise going forward simple over second hand quotes via twitter. We should have some sort of video feed.

 

[periferal]

Just learned his Brother used to play in the NFL, then when he retired he became a doctor and is now a team physician with the Chiefs.

Good bloodlines

Yup. I am a Seahawks fan and I remember him. Cannot believe back in the day the brother for the long-snapper on my favortie football team would become the GM for my favorite hockey team 20 years later.

Amazing.

 

[Duanesutter12]

Yup. I am a Seahawks fan and I remember him. Cannot believe back in the day the brother for the long-snapper on my favortie football team would become the GM for my favorite hockey team 20 years later.

Amazing.

Seahawks? Perif say what?? You are from Long Island right?