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

[Big L]

IMO happy with the Darche hire. Isles dodged bullets with Holland, Jarmo, et al.

Devils advocate here - If isles ECF runs are diminished because of bubble/covid, then Tampas cups/run during that time with Darche are diminished as well, then. Therefore, Darche not so good? What has Tampa done lately? If you’re gonna kill the isles, you gotta kill Tampa as well

 

[periferal]

IMO happy with the Darche hire. Isles dodged bullets with Holland, Jarmo, et al.

Devils advocate here - If isles ECF runs are diminished because of bubble/covid, then Tampas cups/run during that time with Darche are diminished as well, then. Therefore, Darche not so good? What has Tampa done lately? If you’re gonna kill the isles, you gotta kill Tampa as well

Who's saying that the ECF runs were "diminished due to Covid"? I don't hear anyone saying that.

 

[PK Cronin]

Who's saying that the ECF runs were "diminished due to Covid"? I don't hear anyone saying that.

Lots of people on here have said that.

"The Islanders weren't that good and benefitted from COVID, without that they'd miss the playoffs" has been a very popular refrain.

 

[seafoam]

Who's saying that the ECF runs were "diminished due to Covid"? I don't hear anyone saying that.

Hand up; I have been guilty of saying that, but to be honest Tampa was the best team during those years. NYI was one of the best coached teams, but their roster was a sum of their parts.

 

[YearlyLottery]

Hand up; I have been guilty of saying that, but to be honest Tampa was the best team during those years. NYI was one of the best coached teams, but their roster was a sum of their parts.

It still does not take away from what the team accomplished in that time frame.

 

[seafoam]

It still does not take away from what the team accomplished in that time frame.

That is true.

The fatal mistake that always stood out to me was moving Toews and Leddy in back-to-back offseasons and never replacing either of them with a smooth skating, puck moving left shot defenseman.

I love Romanov, but he is not that.

 

[Islanders4Cups]

That is true.

The fatal mistake that always stood out to me was moving Toews and Leddy in back-to-back offseasons and never replacing either of them with a smooth skating, puck moving left shot defenseman.

I love Romanov, but he is not that.

Lets hope they don't make that mistake with Dobson. Still young, can still skate like the wind and if not equal has close to as many points at Toews at this point in his career

 

[seafoam]

Lets hope they don't make that mistake with Dobson. Still young, can still skate like the wind and if not equal has close to as many points at Toews at this point in his career

The thing is Dobson is nowhere near as dynamic and explosive as Toews. He’s cerebral to the point where he’s plays in slow motion.

 

[YearlyLottery]

That is true.

The fatal mistake that always stood out to me was moving Toews and Leddy in back-to-back offseasons and never replacing either of them with a smooth skating, puck moving left shot defenseman.

I love Romanov, but he is not that.

I have been saying the same thing as well. I think Lou thought Dobson was going to be able to take on one of the roles however if he ever watched him play I am not sure why he would see it as an equal trade.

 

[Throttle]

I have been saying the same thing as well. I think Lou thought Dobson was going to be able to take on one of the roles however if he ever watched him play I am not sure why he would see it as an equal trade.

Just like a bunch of other players Lou invested in, he didn’t get his return on the investment so here the Isles are.

 

[LeapOnOver]

Who's saying that the ECF runs were "diminished due to Covid"? I don't hear anyone saying that.

Many people used that in defense of Lamoreillo not building a great team.

Lines like, "Isles don't even make the playoffs if it weren't for Covid"
Or, "The team was built for a short season so bubble hockey helped them" etc....

 

[Islander Class]

NYI were the 3rd/4th (or arguably 2nd in 2020-21) best team in the league 2019-2021. All teams were operating under the same conditions, and that is how the Stanley Cup was awarded those years. It's unknowable how full seasons would have worked out. For all anyone knows- it could have been the same (i.e. TBL was a known force, and NYI were coming off a 2nd Round appearance with a great HC & System).

Ultimately though, IMHO you can't penalize the known (i.e. TBL, NYI, etc.) in favor of the unknown (???)- and I would be saying the same thing had it been NYR (and I do say the same thing about NJD '95, etc.).

 

[Chapin Landvogt]

It's been a few days now since Darche was brought in with his two official titles...

And my biggest feeling after several nights of sleep is that I am just incredibly satisfied that it's someone new - to us and to the position.

I don't worry too much about the risk. I just like sitting here knowing that we just don't know what his modi operandi as the head honcho is going to be.

And that's refreshing.

And that's exciting.

And I don't find myself fearing the risk, although it's naturally very much there.

He's got a ton of work to do but now it can be started.

I'm sure he's been sleeping very little in recent days. He's probably touching so many bases and starting up so many plans, one could hardly keep track of them all.

For us spectators out there, we can simply sit back and see what comes because it could be anything from "playing it safe" to shuffling as much of the deck as possible.

I do believe though that Darche will definitely want to make his mark and start etching his name in there as a man on a mission.

 

[Islanders4Cups]

The thing is Dobson is nowhere near as dynamic and explosive as Toews. He’s cerebral to the point where he’s plays in slow motion.

Toews seemed to get much better when he joined the Avs. The Avs were a much better team with a different playing style that played to his skills. His confidence seemed to explode.

I think it would be foolish to give up on Dobson whose best years could be ahead of him.

 

[impaaaaaact]

Toews seemed to get much better when he joined the Avs. The Avs were a much better team with a different playing style that played to his skills. His confidence seemed to explode.

I think it would be foolish to give up on Dobson whose best years could be ahead of him.

being paired with Cale Makar will do wonders for a mf

 

[SI90]

At the 103:16 mark Elliot starts talking about Darche and the isles for about 10 minutes.

For those like myself wondering if Darche would be allowed to Draft this year for the isles Elliot brings it up as well and mentions teams in the past putting provisions on that when a guy changes organizations so close to the draft and when they’re an integral part of the draft. Doesn’t give an indication on Darche and isles with the draft however.

 

[doublechili]

For us spectators out there, we can simply sit back and see what comes because it could be anything from "playing it safe" to shuffling as much of the deck as possible.

I've been saying for a long time that in a league with a cap, UFA/RFA, etc., etc., every team needs to "retool" all the time to move out contracts as necessary, trade players when appropriate, and basically maximize asset values constantly to make a contender and also maintain the pipeline. Hopefully Darche is the kind of proactive (with emphasis on "active") GM who can make that happen. Lou moved glacially, which was fine for the old league with no cap and where you can keep a player forever. But his team-building philosophy no longer works in an environment that requires constant fiddling. Lou is gone and it's a new day. I'm hopeful that Darche can do what Malkin/Collins likely want to do - make the team competitive in the shorter term (within a year or so) and build for long-term success as well.

 

[Islanders4Cups]

I'm sure he's been sleeping very little in recent days. He's probably touching so many bases and starting up so many plans, one could hardly keep track of them all.

For us spectators out there, we can simply sit back and see what comes because it could be anything from "playing it safe" to shuffling as much of the deck as possible.

I do believe though that Darche will definitely want to make his mark and start etching his name in there as a man on a mission.

While I agree with you, doing it himself seems to me to be impossible and introducing others who are all competent (if in fact he is) is a priority.

There will be ups and downs and patience is needed. That is the hardest thing.

He is on the clock with the draft, free agency, his own roster and contracts. Add Bridgeport to that. I think he needs to delegate quickly.

Hell he hasnt even had his first press conference which will be vital to set the tone.

I too am excited but hopefully he is a hard worker but also someone who can hire and surround himself with winners.

 

[Throttle]

Can Darche write a good letter? Now, that’s a critical piece here…

 

[periferal]

It's been a few days now since Darche was brought in with his two official titles...

And my biggest feeling after several nights of sleep is that I am just incredibly satisfied that it's someone new - to us and to the position.

I don't worry too much about the risk. I just like sitting here knowing that we just don't know what his modi operandi as the head honcho is going to be.

And that's refreshing.

And that's exciting.

And I don't find myself fearing the risk, although it's naturally very much there.

He's got a ton of work to do but now it can be started.

I'm sure he's been sleeping very little in recent days. He's probably touching so many bases and starting up so many plans, one could hardly keep track of them all.

For us spectators out there, we can simply sit back and see what comes because it could be anything from "playing it safe" to shuffling as much of the deck as possible.

I do believe though that Darche will definitely want to make his mark and start etching his name in there as a man on a mission.

Great post as always Chap. Super objective and diplomatic.

When you consider if Lou was brought back, or Malkin went with known failures in Bergevin or Jarmo, that would have been more than enough to have us fans being way more fearful and sleeping very little ourselves.

In light of that doesn't sound like you're excited enough about what Malkin has done here. He entrusted his billion dollar company to someone who's never done what he's about to do before. When you consider that Malkin has been successful at every aspect of his professional life, that's not nothing when it comes to him being able to identify and hire talent in any spectrum. Add in the fact that Darche was the top candidate across the NHL to next be a 1st time GM, and I think it's clear that given all circumstances not only was the right choice made...But it very well might be the best choice overall.

That doesn't mean Darche will be a success, and he might even totally fail. But Lou was totally failing (for years) and yet it would have been easier for Malkin to sit back, keep the status quo, and "run it back" yet again with zero hope of us winning.

Instead Malkin put his chips in the middle of the table and essentially said, "We want to be better on the ice. And to be better you have to embrace change and take risks." That is the kind of atitude I want from any owner of any product I spend my money on.

Personally I think something special just happened here, and I am excited about this franchise in a way that I haven't been in years.

 

[periferal]

At the 103:16 mark Elliot starts talking about Darche and the isles for about 10 minutes.

For those like myself wondering if Darche would be allowed to Draft this year for the isles Elliot brings it up as well and mentions teams in the past putting provisions on that when a guy changes organizations so close to the draft and when they’re an integral part of the draft. Doesn’t give an indication on Darche and isles with the draft however.

I'm not even worried about this. Darche is going to be allowed to run the Isles 2025 NHL Draft. There's no way that Malkin/Collins would not have this covered. Think about it...What if the Lightning stipulated he wasn't allowed to run the Isles draft....Then who would? Lou?

And let's be honest...The same way there is tampering with free agency, there could easily be tampering with Darche "not being a part of the draft," Add in the fact that the Draft is decentralized (meaning that all teams will be at their own headquaarters), and it would be so easy for Darche to run it from anyway.

And on top of all that...We don't pick anywhere near the Lightning (and they only have 1 pick in the 1st 3 rounds), so it would just be petty for them to not allow Darche to be the Isles GM IN FULL from day 1. I just don't think they would do that to him/us, and it's just so unnecessary.

 

[periferal]

At the 103:16 mark Elliot starts talking about Darche and the isles for about 10 minutes.

For those like myself wondering if Darche would be allowed to Draft this year for the isles Elliot brings it up as well and mentions teams in the past putting provisions on that when a guy changes organizations so close to the draft and when they’re an integral part of the draft. Doesn’t give an indication on Darche and isles with the draft however.

Also on this podcast Friedman mentioned there would be a press conference this week announcing Darche to Isles nation. Think about the topics he's definte going to get asked about:

• Is Roy coming back?
• Will you be keeping C. Lamoriello and/or Pelligrini?
• What about the scouting department?
• What position are you going be hiring for...And who are you looking to make for those hires?

When you consider all this I think Malkin/Collins/Darche wanted to sort some of this out before they take questions from the media. Thus I would be surprised if most of these questions aren't answered before or even at the press conference. For example, Darche may not be able to hire who he wants at assistant GM yet, but it would be so awkward for him to get asked about C. Lamoriello/Pellegrini knowing he's going to fire them, and have to give an answer otherwise.

Given the late hire, they don't have time to waste to get 100% on the same page for the draft, free agency, and the entire offseason so I would think more front office news is coming very soon.

 

[SI90]

Also on this podcast Friedman mentioned there would be a press conference this week announcing Darche to Isles nation. Think about the topics he's definte going to get asked about:

• Is Roy coming back?
• Will you be keeping C. Lamoriello and/or Pelligrini?
• What about the scouting department?
• What position are you going be hiring for...And who are you looking to make for those hires?

When you consider all this I think Malkin/Collins/Darche wanted to sort some of this out before they take questions from the media. Thus I would be surprised if most of these questions aren't answered before or even at the press conference. For example, Darche may not be able to hire who he wants at assistant GM yet, but it would be so awkward for him to get asked about C. Lamoriello/Pellegrini knowing he's going to fire them, and have to give an answer otherwise.

Given the late hire, they don't have time to waste to get 100% on the same page for the draft, free agency, and the entire offseason so I would think more front office news is coming very soon.

Im looking forward to a press conference. You give the man the keys to the franchise and you need to get him in front of the media/fans to get to know him as much as possible. It’s a big moment. I was surprised they didn’t have it close to announcing it but just gives them more time to cover things I guess.

 

[periferal]

Im looking forward to a press conference. You give the man the keys to the franchise and you need to get him in front of the media/fans to get to know him as much as possible. It’s a big moment. I was surprised they didn’t have it close to announcing it but just gives them more time to cover things I guess.

Obviously you always protect the franchise so if they need to keep some things secret for a few extra days no problem. However it's the right thing to do to have a proper press conference to really introduce the guy who's going to be running everything to fans. It would be a total dropped ball, if not totally insulting to paying fans, to not do it. But again Darche needs at least a few days to get his feet under him so he can answer some questions. Otherwise you'd have a 45 minute media session of him basically just answering every question with, "Well we'll see..."

 

[NYI365]

Re: the Covid Era Discourse on this team:

'22 first year at UBS, team was wrecked by COVID-19 injuries. They returned to a playoff level team in '23 and '24 but quickly ousted by Carolina.

'21 we were legit, we were a strong team in that weird Division Only season and the playoffs were legit. Probably the strongest Isles team of my 30 year old fandom.

'20 is the season where the pause greatly benefitted this team. They were floundering and the pause and Play-In saved them.

'19 we saw prime Trotz-Effect, that team was legit. Laid foundation for the next few seasons.