Just a month after not renewing Lou Lamoriello’s contract, the Islanders have found his replacement. The New York Islanders have named Mathieu Darche general manager and executive vice president. The 48-year-old has been with the Tampa Bay Lightning since 2019 as director of hockey operations and spent the last three seasons as assistant general manager. The Lightning won back-to-back Stanley Cups in 2020 and 2021, defeating the Islanders in the NHL semifinals both seasons.
“Mathieu is the perfect choice to lead our hockey operations,” Islanders Operating Partner John Collins said in the press release. “He will be given every resource available to put the Islanders first-in-class on the ice, with our business initiatives, and in the community. Mathieu has served as a key member of the Tampa Bay Lightning and has a diverse background in top-level business models. He is a proven winner and is committed, as is our ownership group, to building a group that will be highly competitive next season and beyond.”
“I am truly honored by the opportunity to be the New York Islanders General Manager and Executive Vice President,” Darche said. “I’d like to thank Scott Malkin, Jon Ledecky, John Collins, and the entire ownership group for entrusting me with the hockey operations of this great franchise.”
Darche beat out former Montreal Canadiens GM and Los Angeles Kings Senior Advisor Marc Bergevin for the position. Bergevin will remain with the Kings under new GM Ken Holland, who passed on the Islanders for the Kings.
Darche will report directly to Islanders ownership. The team will not be hiring a president of hockey operations. Brendan Shanahan, who did not have his contract renewed in Toronto, was thought to be a candidate. The Islanders received permission from the Leafs to speak with Shanahan prior to Thursday’s decision.
Darche played 250 NHL games over nine seasons with five teams. He had two goals and four assists in ten career games against the Islanders.
The first-time general manager has a lot on his plate when he officially takes the role. He has to decide the fate of head coach Patrick Roy. The fellow French Canadian has a three-year extension that will begin next season. I would expect Roy to return. It could be interesting to see if Roy has a hand in his assistant coaches. John MacLean and Tommy Albelin, both Lamoriello hires who handled the struggling special teams, could be replaced.
Darche also has a massive undertaking with the Bridgeport Islanders, who finished in last place the last two seasons in the AHL. Chris Lamoriello, Lou’s son, has been in charge since the 2017-18 season. The lack of draft picks has severely affected the team. Head Coach Rick Kowalsky, to say he has not been good in the role would be an understatement, will likely not be retained.
For the first time since 2009, the Islanders will have the first pick in the NHL Draft. Darche will have to decide whether to select defenseman Matthew Schaefer or Long Island native and Islanders fan James Hagens.
The Islanders currently have just over $28 million in cap space. Forward Kyle Palmieri, whose agent was negotiating with Lamoriello on an extension, heads the UFA class. Darche will have to decide whether to bring back defensemen Tony DeAngelo and Mike Riley. Contract extensions are also due for multiple restricted free agents led by defensemen Noah Dobson and Alexander Romanov.
The Islanders could do something they haven’t done in over a decade by utilizing buyouts. Forward Pierre Engvall and defenseman Scott Mayfield are candidates.
