Matthew Darche takes the helm as the New York Islanders’ new GM, sparking excitement and speculation. Can his experience with the Tampa Bay Lightning, a team with a stellar playoff record, transform the Islanders into a powerhouse?
Explore the potential impact of Darche’s leadership on the Islanders’ strategy and roster. Host Gil Martin and guest Josh Sperber from Locked On Lightning discuss Darche’s past successes and what they mean for the Islanders’ future. The episode also features a deep dive into Casey Cizikas’ role and Patrick Roy’s coaching prospects, offering insights into the team’s evolving dynamics.
Join the conversation to uncover how these changes might shape the Islanders’ path forward. Listen now for exclusive analysis and insider perspectives.
All this and more on today’s Locked On Islanders Podcast with Gil Martin.
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28 Comments
Darche is such an amazing person. Yes, but specifically what did he do? Well, I need to get back to you on that. That concerns me. Not 1 specific thing he could point to that he was responsible. When youb asked him about prospect pool we'll that's not his strongest suit.
The last point. He made a point of saying that when darche got to tampa all the pieces were there. Implying darche did not rebuild anything in Tampa. Which I said is a darche weakness. We need someone who has the experience in rebuilding the entire operations of the islanders from scouring both pro and amateur, player development and analytics and training and health. This concerns me because the islanders whole infrastructure is a mess.as I said before darche is the perfect person for a team that is already a playoff team that needs to get over the hump. The last point which you probably heard is word around the league is that when darche was with tampa he would propose trades which were to be kind head scratchers and this may be because tampa is a win now mode. But this reputation has hurt darche
PODCAST OF THE WEEK!
Trade for isac Howard
The best news is that Darche has 0 connection or loyalty to the existing Isles. I’m hoping that translates to the last of the old regime gets traded out. Lee, Pageau, Pelech, Pulock, Mayfield.
Very pertinent and good questions, Gil. All and more of what I looked for. The answers may be hard to gauge how it will translate from an organisation such as Tampa to Isles, as we both come from a Win-now mode, and we need some reorganisation from Bridgeport, to staff, to future prospects and so on. But it is comforting that Tampa is a well oiled machine, and it is those standards, we'd want. Really hope staff is one of the key components. You need competent people from top to bottom if you want to be successful and our PP and PK is so problematic that it needs to be looked at, because it is at an unacceptable level and so is Bridgeport. When these things are improved, most of the other things will improve much easier. Also need to make some ruthless and hard decisions. Still hope we give Roy a chance.
Fire Roy!!!
Hopefully he has a long term plan and doesn't try to be competitive for a few years.
Good 🌄, Gil. How are you? Happy Memorial Day. Good 🌄, Josh Sperber. from LockedonLightning, How are you? Welcome to @LockedOnIslanders. You're right about Darche in his tenure with the 🌩, he's won 2 Stanley Cups, and he's made some good trades, and the 🌩 has sold out the building. No matter how you look at it, Matheiu Darche HAS SOME SERIOUS CLEANING TO DO. He played in the NHL for 9 years, so he does know his stuff. Will Darche stick with Patrick Roy? Yes.give him a team he can work with. He did some things that weren't cool; I hope Patrick Roy will stay. I think they can 👀 👁 to eye. Hopefully, Darche won't trade away the future because IT WILL BITE HIM IN THE BEHIND. Casey Czikus. He'll be 35 in February, he can play on the 4th line, and he's an asset to the team. If he goes to another team, I wish him well. HAPPY 🎂 CHRIS WAGNER. He scored his only goal as an Islander in a 4-3 loss to the 😈. Hear from you later, Gil, and good insight from Josh Sperber from LockedonLightning. I must say this Game 6 of the 80 Finals. I've go to admit I was a little scared on 2 occasions. 1. When Reggie Leach, who was known as the Reservation Rifle, finally got one past Billy Smith after shooting nothing but blanks, and 2. When they let the 2 goal lead get away, but ALL'S WELL THAT ENDS WELL. Now, I'm 👀 the LA 🤴 and the Islanders home opener at the Coliseum, where they brought all their trophies, especially the Stanley Cup, and raised their 4th and last banner. I hope to ser them win another Cup before I go to my grave. Now, LET'S GO ISLANDERS. I almost forgot, another recording artist I grew to like that's no longer with us Luther Vandross.
Happy Memorial day team! Welcome Josh! Darche has an excellent record with the Lightning. Anyone that questions it really doesn't know hockey. I was elated to find out he is our new GM, but his past record aside, he needs to show what he can do with our Islanders! I will have no problem bashing him, as I did Lou, if he doesn't show his worth for the team! I'm not expecting early miracles, I'm willing to give it the time for him to fix the state we're in at this moment. Hey, if miracles do happen for this team, faster than I'm expecting, then I'll take it. The team this season needs to be better than the season we just completed. What does everyone else think? Everyone, have a great day! See you all again tomorrow. Until then.. Let's Go Islanders!!
Let’s Go Islanders! Zeeker has been a great Islander and a fan favorite! Time is not a friend of no one 😢. Zeeker has slowed down greatly last year and took more penalties than normal. His plus/minus wasn’t good as he slows down. Certainly agree with you Gil! I do feel it is time to move on from Zeeks for younger, bigger ,faster, nastier players. I really would like us to sign Justin Barzeau! He is a monster and would come at a reasonable price. We all will just have to wait and see what Darche does.
At times this season Roy's coaching style seems like Capuano Lite, We need a "Dedicated Consistent Offensive Style" of play, that puts everyone in constant motion. The late 90's Devils style of offense is useless because players are "Younger Faster & More Skilled" . Passing , stick handling 3 times and passing it off again in a circular pattern was predictable, allowed defense and goalie to adjust and clogged up shooting lanes. Gil you nailed it, he is on a short leash. I have a feeling "Playing the role of Phil Goyette this year is Patrick Roy"
anyone is an upgrade over Lou
Josh is only validating my concerns about Darch sadly, no history of drafting/developing and being there with an already established good core and just got them over the hump so to speak. I like that he is a first time hire and young, but that’s about it. I wanted Matigan with an experienced President
As long as he drafts Mesa
After listening to Josh Sperber, I am not as “sold” on Mathieu Darche as I was before. Perhaps Gil Martin didn’t ask the right questions, or Josh danced around the questions.
Meanwhile, back at the ranch, the toilet has been flushed. But some remnants, like chris lamoriello and steve pellegrini, are popping back up to the top of the toilet water. They need to go pronto. They should have been fired along with lou, and the rest of lou's crew when lou was fired. Bridgeport also needs a major league summers eve if ya know what I mean.
When will Darche first presser be?
New blood feels good start building a big strong team keep Roy
Oh, you mean the Tampa Bay Lightning that just got trucked by the Florida Panthers. That Tampa Bay team? Lol The last time I saw a team completely dominate a series in every single aspect of the game like the Florida Panthers are doing to Carolina Hurricanes?? I have to go back to the Red Army days in Detroit.
Hate to be the Debbie downer but this is the guy the isles fans were screaming for? The guy that covers the lightning genuinely had no idea what Darche was responsible for in Tampa. I hate to say it but the isles got there last option a month into the search and the fans are happy that the hire just wasn’t Lou. This is like when fans scream for the backup QB. Everyone loves the back up until he actually plays. Hoping for the best but there’s plenty of reason to be concerned.
I would have loved for the Islanders to hire a GM that won 2 Cups and was relatively young and took a break from the game for a year or two and wanted back in. There was no such person though. Any hire was going to have question marks. I'm fine with the Darche hire and we just have to give it time. If it does not work out, you make a change.
To suggest Darche has a winning formula is ludicrous. He has never been a GM and doesn't have track record of success or failure. Hiring him amounts to an on the job trainee. He probably was hired at a deep discount. All I hope for is he is allowed to run the show the way he wants. Let him make his own decisions and let the chips fall where they may.
I am excited about Darche. A few good moves and if we use our number 1 picks properly in the next 2 drafts the Isles will be back as a serious contender. LGI
Darche had better hit the ground running this organization needs work at all levels. Everyone should be available but keep the prospects and picks. I have no problem sucking for a couple of seasons if the ultimate goal of being yearly contenders is achieved.
Congratulations to the Adelphi University Panthers Men's Lacrosse team. 2025 NCAA division II men's lacrosse champions. For the second year in a row. Not too shabby fellas. Go for three in a row.
Career middling journeyman Mathieu Darche became Hall of Famer Patrick Roy's boss!
Expect Darche to be Rejean Houle 2.0.
I don't think Darche will achieve the same success as Julian BriseBois just because they operated in the same system. Look at Stevie Y (BriseBois' previous boss) who is taking an eternity in rebuilding the Red Wings.