The New York Islanders formally introduced Mathieu Darche as the new General Manager and Executive Vice President of Hockey Operations at a press conference at UBS Arena Thursday morning. There were plenty of nuggets coming out of the press conference from Darche, who will report directly to Islanders Owner Scott Malkin. Here are four major takeaways.
Darche’s first order of business was the announcement that Roy would return for his second full season as head coach of the Islanders. The team went 35-35-12 in Roy’s first full season, missing the playoffs for the second time in four seasons. Two of Roy’s lieutenants were not as lucky. Assistant coaches John MacLean and Tommy Albelin, both former general manager Lou Lamoriello guys, will not be retained. Benoit Desrosiers, who coached with Roy in Quebec and joined his staff on Long Island in 2024 will return.
“I think Patrick’s a winner. He’s had success coaching. When he came here the first year, he did have success,” Darche said. “I didn’t know Patrick. Obviously, I know a lot of people in the hockey world. I’ve been on the phone a lot, and I went to meet with him last weekend just to get to know him more. And I’m extremely comfortable and excited to be working with him. I know he’s passionate. He works hard, and I just decided that was my decision to make changes in the coaching staff, and now Patrick and I will work together to fill the assistant coaches position.”
MacLean and Albelin ran the special teams for Roy. Both units struggled last season. The power play (12.6%) and the penalty kill (72.2%) both ranked 31st in the league.
Roy and Lamoriello clashed on the Islanders style of play. It does not seem that will be the case under Darche. He stated that he wants a fast-paced team. “Nothing worse for opponent than a team that comes at you all the time.”
The new general manager wasted little time in letting go Bridgeport Head Coach Rick Kowalsky and his coaching staff. Kowalsky’s tenure was nothing short of a disaster. He finished with a 40–88-11-5 record in two seasons as head coach. Bridgeport won just four home games last season and was dead last in the AHL. All the blame does not fall on the coaching staff. Bridgeport was an afterthought under the Lamoriello regime. That would not be the case with Darche. “The AHL will be a focus for me…I believe in developing a winning environment. Your players have to be ready.” Darche said. The fates of the current assistant general managers Chris Lamoriello, who is also the Bridgeport GM and Steve Pelligrini remain undecided at the moment. Darche wanted to act quickly regarding a new coaching staff.
An emphasis on player development will be a focus in Bridgeport. Darche mentioned that he wants to build an operation that is “vertically integrated,” and adding that was one of the Lightning’s strengths during his six seasons with that organization.
Darche joked that it’s rare for a general manager to come into a new team that holds the first overall pick in the NHL Draft. When asked if he would trade the pick, Darche stated that someone would have to really knock his socks off to trade that pick. Says that he expects to make the pick. Defenseman Matthew Schaefer, center Michael Misa and Long Island native James Hagens are all possibilities.
Darche provided an upbeat update on Horvat, who suffered an ankle injury at the World Championships a couple of weeks ago. He’s set to miss four-to-six weeks and he has already begun rehabbing. Darche mentioned that if the injury occurred in the Stanley Cup Playoffs, Horvat would have fought through it. Horvat had eight points (four goals, four assists) in six games for Canada, with three of the goals coming on the power play.
The Islanders have 12 free agents heading into the Summer. Darche said that he has been in contact with every player and is already in discussions with most of the agents. Kyle Palmieri, who Lamoriello started contract talks prior to his dismissal, heads the unrestricted free agents while defenseman Noah Dobson is the standout on the restricted free agent side.
The prospect camp will take place following the draft. The last few seasons it took place in September right before training camp.
Perhaps the most important news to come out of today was the return of beards in the regular season. Darche will not have a rule regarding facial hair. Lamoriello had a no facial hair policy in the regular season but allow it in the playoffs.
I agree with the comment, Nothing worse for opponent than a team that comes at you all the time.”
It is also a much better fan experience