New York Islanders' new GM Mathieu Darche faces key decisions pending throughout roster, staff and future vision
Mathieu Darche (via Getty Images)
Mathieu Darche, who has been appointed general manager of the New York Islanders, begins his tenure on the job with great expectations and an urgent agenda of organizational needs.
From deciding the future of head coach Patrick Roy to riding out a vital offseason with free agents and the No. 1 draft choice in hand, Mathieu Darche's new role requires instant response.
Mathieu Darche has pressing problems in front of him with New York Islanders' roster, coaching staff, and draft plan
BREAKING: Islanders SHOCK NHL by Naming Mathieu Darche as NEW GM | Can He SAVE the Franchise?
Replacing veteran executive Lou Lamoriello, Mathieu Darche not only takes the title of New York Islanders general manager but also a club halfway through transition, with large decisions to be made in every department. Ownership group Scott Malkin, John Collins, and Jon Ledecky opted for Mathieu Darche over more experienced candidates such as Ken Holland, Marc Bergevin, and Jarmo Kekäläinen, indicating a new direction for the team.
Coaching future in the balance, and front office shakeups ahead
One of Mathieu Darche's more delicate duties will be determining the future of existing head coach Patrick Roy, who has three years remaining on his deal. Darche will also evaluate whether to keep assistant general managers Steve Pellegrini and Chris Lamoriello or remake the front office altogether. With scouting sessions already ongoing and the NHL Draft Combine just around the corner, the new GM might have to rely partially on the existing staff in the short term before bringing about structural changes later this summer.
Roster makeover or shrewd adjustments?
Darche needs to give a close examination to the Islanders' roster as of now. The team has remained in a state of mediocrity and needs to figure out if they will rebuild or retool. Players such as Jean-Gabriel Pageau, Ryan Pulock, Adam Pelech, and Scott Mayfield can be trade assets. However, prospects such as Calum Ritchie, Isaiah George, and Cole Eiserman provide hope for the future.
Veteran deals like those of Mayfield and Pierre Engvall can be considered for buyouts, and goaltender Semyon Varlamov's fate as Ilya Sorokin's backup also remains undecided.
Decisions on key contract negotiations and free agency plans
Darche will have to renegotiate contracts for restricted free agents Noah Dobson, Alex Romanov, and Simon Holmstrom, and consider giving veteran forward Kyle Palmieri an extension, whose earlier negotiations with Lamoriello had gone almost to the finishing line.
Darche also needs to rebuild the minor league system, beginning with possible staff changes in the coaching department and focusing on draft pick retention towards building depth.
At the same time, he also needs to revive the brand of the franchise, which has not been seen in the UBS Arena era as a result of Lamoriello's conservative style.
Also read:
Mathieu Darche steps into a new era as New York Islanders general manager
Mathieu Darche is not being given the luxury of time. Between hiring and firing, an underwhelming NHL and AHL roster, tipping-point contract negotiations, and a waiting fanbase ready to see something happen, his first offseason as general manager will be a trial by fire. But with a lottery win already secured and a new outlook at the helm, the New York Islanders could be headed for a reboot if needed—if Darche makes the right big-picture decisions.
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