Mathieu Darche to Become GM of the Islanders

[boredmale]

Official Islanders will win a cup before Los Angeles.

I would like to think we win before every team that isn't in the quarter finals right now. lol

 

[benedictTavares]

 

[Crazy Cizikas]

Former Director of Hockey Operations for Tampa.

 

[Taswell]

isles had an even worse budget back when Snow was general manager. I would hope to see at least more money in the pockets of Malkin and Ledecky because this team does need a big makeover soon. Its time to start spending,

When have they not been spending? Built state of the art arena, training facility, have spent to the cap pretty much every season. I have no doubt they’ll spend to expand hockey ops/scouting, the only limit on that was Lou wanting to keep things small.

 

[The Last Red]

I don't think I've ever heard of a hockey ops guy take his journey to GM as seriously as Darche. So many times teams end up hiring some old timer's son or an old star player with zero qualifications other than good contacts. He recognized that he wouldn't get any of that fast track help and went to work.

He's basically worked at every step of a hockey org, went to university to develop complementary/real-world management skills, I think he also negotiated for the NHLPA... basically he built himself the ideal resume and I'm glad he gets a shot . I hope he gets to show the NHL what an overly qualified manager can do for a change.

Preparation isn't everything though. Let's see how the GM group will welcome him, if they'll deal with him or kind of treat him as an outsider because he actually is qualified. The last thing on his list is to build an aura, and once again he'll have to deserve it.

Jim Nill never went to college and just only played hockey. Is he not actually qualified to be an NHL GM? A Resume only means so much.

 

[Jee]

Former Habs legend (and multiple other irrelevant teams) Mathieu Darche Hockey Stats and Profile at hockeydb.com

 

[WhataKnight]

Great now we can expect years of

Came to see if this had been done yet.

Not disappointed.

 

[Jumptheshark]

Had to google his name, no idea he played 250 games in the nhl

 

[Gaylord Q Tinkledink]

I'm glad Darche got it.

Looked at the people rumoured for the GM spot and how much they've f***ing sucked.

 

[IslesNorway]

Breathing a sigh of relief

 

[Wanderson]

Breathing a sigh of relief

I hope it’s a decent choice. I rather have him than a guy like with a weak recent history like Bergevin or Holland.

However, he is like a draft pick. No previous GM experience, so he might end up like Chayka or Milbury if we’re unlucky.

 

[Homelander]

Dathieu Marche?

 

[2ndGenIslander]

When have they not been spending? Built state of the art arena, training facility, have spent to the cap pretty much every season. I have no doubt they’ll spend to expand hockey ops/scouting, the only limit on that was Lou wanting to keep things small.

Since Ledecky era they definitely are spending and doing all they can to be successful. Remember the Wang days? They used to spend the cap floor and had no interest in building a winning team. They've been on the right track thank god for a bunch of years now

I hope it’s a decent choice. I rather have him than a guy like with a weak recent history like Bergevin or Holland.

However, he is like a draft pick. No previous GM experience, so he might end up like Chayka or Milbury if we’re unlucky.

It would take a horrific personality cocktail of extreme narcissism, arrogance, and out of control ego to even come close to an albatross like Milbury.

 

[Vukotal Recall]

My absolute least favorite player on the team (which is saying something) when he was on the Habs. Blech.

/csb

 

[Section 104]

Official Islanders will win a cup before Los Angeles.

So “when pigs fly” happens before “when hell freezes over”?

 

[scott99]

The big debate on the Sharks boards obviously is whether "retool" vs "rebuild" means they might take the 1C over the 1D. Misa could be in the NHL and contributing within 2 years, Schaefer being as young as he is could take longer. Plus, 1C's in the top 3 have better historical outcomes than 1D's.

To be clear, if it were me, I'd take Schaefer and not look back, but Sharks fans are trying to figure out if there's any world where the ownership gives a mandate for him to turn it around relatively quickly and in that case, given the dynamics at the top of the draft, maybe they let Schaefer drop.

I'm sure they already know what they're going to do given scouting meetings have all happened and Darche would certainly have had to pitch his plan at 1OA to ownership... now we just have to wait 5 weeks to figure out what that plan is, and it may say a fair bit about rebuild vs. retool (once draft + FA dust settles NYI fans will hopefully start to see a vision).

As an Isle’s fan, pre draft lottery, I always had delusions of grandeur about landing Misa or Hagens. I never imagined we would WIN, the lottery. Was hoping we would move up into the top 5 and hoped Miss or Hagens would fall us.

Now that they have the #1 pick, I’d be happy with Schaefer, Misa or Hagens. My order of preference is

1) Schaefer
2) Misa
3) Hagens

I think all 3 will wind up being excellent players.

I do think a guy like Darche is really smart, and will go with best player available (Schaefer). He spent years with Hedman, and knows what an elite defenseman can do for a team.

 

[Bradely]

Had to google his name, no idea he played 250 games in the nhl

He has a commerce degree in marketing and international business from McGill University
Guy is brillant
He was Tamga GM assistant... which is a pretty good school if you ask me
Let see what happens, but very interesting choice imo

 

[Kimota]

I disagree with some that MB would have been bad. But this is a great pick up for sure. It's even more positive that they have said than Shanny is not being hired right now. They don't need Shanny. Let Darche get carte blanche, not having someone overing above questionining his every decisions.

 

[Surfer Dude]

any info on his contract term? 3yr vs 5 yr?

 

[Clint Eastwood]

A great way to build fan excitement is to match up an unknown candidate with a candidate with a rough history.

Reminds me of how hyped I was when the Bruins hired Montgomery, less because of Montgomery and more because it wasn't David Quinn.

 

[ChicagoBlues]

Kinda cool that his older brother, JP Darche played in the NFL for several seasons, played in a Super Bowl, was one of the Seahawks' team captains for a bit and then went back to school to finish his MD and is now one of the Kansas City Chiefs' team physicians.

 

[Chardo]

So “when pigs fly” happens before “when hell freezes over”?

I have been to Pink Floyd concerts. I've seen pigs fly.

 

[Brookbank]

Definitely a better choice than Bergevin.

Nope. Bergevin will get another job and lay waste to half of these guys

 

[MattMartin]

Comes from a winning organization that is competitive every year despite salary cap. I think this is a good hire. Hope he keeps Roy, unless Cooper wants to jump ship with him

Coops a Hofstra boy too = )

Cooper was born in Prince George, British Columbia. He played high school hockey at Notre Dame in Wilcox, Saskatchewan. He graduated with a Bachelor of Business Administration from Hofstra University in 1989

 

[The Crypto Guy]

More better.

Living rent free.