New York Islanders shake up roster as GM Mathieu Darche takes charge. Will bold moves propel the team to playoff contention?
Host Gil Martin analyzes Darche’s potential impact, including trade rumors surrounding Noah Dobson and Alexander Romanov. The discussion covers the Islanders’ first overall pick in the 2025 NHL Draft, weighing options between top prospects Matthew Schaefer and Michael Misa. Martin also examines the hiring of Rocky Thompson as Bridgeport Islanders’ new coach and celebrates Felix Potvin’s birthday with a memorable game recap.
Tune in for expert insights on the Islanders’ offseason strategy and how these changes could reshape their Stanley Cup aspirations.
All this and more on today’s Locked On Islanders Podcast with Gil Martin.
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8 Comments
Rocky thompson just like roy and boughner won a mem. cup as spits coach (just like boughner) in '17 so this is an upgrade from b. thompson. And no one deal will make isles a contender. Its about upgrading this same lacking roster with many holes in any way possible. 8 is leading candidate going into draft week. Could move 27, 44 even tho tdl is more likely. Today's no good so-called expert report says sabres and blows are in on 8. Which makes no sense as sabres have dahlin and power and still have byram. Just announce schaefer pick and hope…
Does Colorado have the ability to change the pick next year to go to the 2027 NHL draft? I saw that on ESPN? I thought they didn't
I think everyone is too locked in on James Hagens if we trade back into the first round and make a first round pick obviously after our number one pick. And it definitely looks like from everything that we're hearing and seeing that Hagens will be the guy if they get another top 5 to 10 pick first round draft pick but I think they should instead be looking at other players like Porter Martone, Caleb Desnoyers or even Roger McQueen or Carter Bear. Or if they don't pick Schaefer, which it seems like they're going to, defenseman Radim Mrtka closer to pick number 10 also obviously depends on what pick number they would get if they trade back into the first round. If they trade and get a late or very late first round pick Cameron Schmidt, maybe. But also depends on what Darche is planning to do as far as getting actual NHL players and what type of term that they have on their contract are left on their contracts for example, if he's going to get two or three potent offensive producers than that could change what he's trying to do in the draft, particularly in the first two rounds, so one certainly isn't 100% separate from the other even though the players from the draft aren't going to step in and produce, certainly, to their ultimate capabilities immediately if they step in immediately at all.
And does he trade for Isaac Howard, which I definitely hope he does. And if he does, Isaac Howard come over this year or like it looks right now does he wait until next year.
We have no wingers on this team besides holmstrome. I'd love martone. Power foward right winger
Bday of the day. The Cat Felix Potvin!
The more I think about it, Byrum and Patarka would fit in really nicely on this roster. Yes, Dobson would be the center piece going to Buffalo. Maybe we can get the sabers to bite on Engvall in that deal. I also think trading JGP for a younger guy who plays with an edge and could score 15-20 goals would be something we need. As bad as I want Darche to start wheeling and dealing, I think being patient this off-season and leading up to the deadline is the smarter play.
I would get Misa, that is a no brainer. If the islanders are worried about D. they can still get Logan Hensler maybe for JG or Dobs,. As far as F/A I said this in December, Ehlers on L/W and Marner R/W with Bo in center for line one. good start.
How about we just see what happens Friday?