New York Islanders shake up management: Matthew Darche’s bold moves reshape the team’s future. Is this the dawn of a new era for Islanders hockey?
Gil Martin analyzes Darche’s impact on contracts, cap space, and team culture. The discussion covers Maxim Tsyplakov’s new deal, first overall pick Matthew Schaefer’s potential, and Zach Parise’s lasting influence. Martin contrasts Darche’s approach with Lou Lamarello’s, highlighting shorter contracts and tougher salary negotiations.
Tune in for insider perspectives on the Islanders’ evolving strategy and how it could lead to consistent playoff contention.
All this and more on today’s Locked On Islanders Podcast with Gil Martin.
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18 Comments
just off-season business as usual with no more louzer type 7-8 year contracts. 11 g scorer re-signed. offense, pp still bottom three. mission to put the nhl's shittiest offense out there complete. maybe put 7 on a line with shab?
If Max has a good training camp he can be on the second line at the start of the season or very early and if he keeps playing well after preseason unless maybe the Islanders bring some high talent because remember last year in training camp he had to work his way up but I believe he started the season on the second line and even if he didn't start on the second line he was there very early in the year and he was second, third line for the first half of the year and then he started playing poorly and he got moved down to more fourth line also if you remember he lead the team, and the league either overall or the rookies in the league but it was certainly the team and hits for the first half of the year and since he started playing less but he also stopped hitting as much even when he was on the ice so he needs to get back to that unless he scores a lot more
also whether there's room for him on the second line depends on what Duclair does one of them likely gonna be second one of them likely gonna be third I think if Max is a fourth liner that's a disappointment and then the scenario of the touched on a little bit become true for this year the contract becomes a bit of a disappointment.
Also it matters if they are considering the Horvat line the second line because that's where Druonin is gonna play, start that's what Roy said and whoever plays better out of Max and Druonin can also be interchangeable although I have to check on what wings they play and if one both of them can or do play both wings.
This years training camp is going to be the most competitive in years.
Good 🌄, Gil. How are you? Matheiu Darche resigned Maxim Tsyplakov to a nice 2 year deal. Lamoriellio cost the team 23 players because of his mismanagement of The Cap Space. Darche's still doing some serious 🏠 cleaning. Tsyplakov had a solid rookie season, but he still has to prove himself. Matheiu Darche is tough, but he's also fair. Case in point, Noah Dobson wanted $10M, and Darche said NO WAY. I'm Tsyplakov didn't go to arbitration because there will be bad blood when it's all over. You're right, Gil. If Pierre Engvall wants to get and stay out of Patrick Roy's 🐕 🏠, HE MUST PLAY THE WAY PATRICK ROY WANTS HIM TO. Matthew Schaffer. He'll be 18 years old in September. He can skate, he can light up the scoreboard, he's a playmaker. He's also very mature for his age, and he needs to grow a little more. The kid has got potential. HAPPY 🎂, ZACH PARISIE. His late father, JP, played a huge part in the Islanders and Cinderella season. The Islanders should've drafted him, but they didn't. He scored 2 PP goals in a 5-2 win over the Flyers. Hear from you later, Gil, but before I go, I was watching 👀 Game 2 of the 81' Finals, and 19 year old then North 🌟 goalie Don Beaupre up butt ended Trots with his stick taking a page out of Smitty's 🎒 of tricks. Needless to say Trots was po'd and got his revenge by setting up Boss, and keeping his point scoring alive. SWEET, VERY SWEET. Now, LET'S GO, ISLANDERS.
Darche is everything I wanted him to be and more! Islander fans have a lot to smile 😀 about and the future is looking bright with Darche at the helm. This team will be more competitive and players can’t loaf around on past years success. Times are changing! The country club has ended! As a fan since the 75/76 season to me Darche is already the Second best GM in The Islanders history. Very excited going forward and all fans have a lot to feel good about.
The difference between most offensive defensemen that are drafted high, is that Schaefer is really good defensively. His skating is elite, his passing is excellent, may not have a Pulock like shot, but he actually gets his shot on net.
He has an offensive mind. It’s who he is. He will eventually be a 60-70 point player. He will run the power play and be on the first team PK. Once he gains weight, watch out.
Also, have to add, the last defenseman who was almost star level wasn’t Streit, who I was a big fan of, it was Dobson. He was the first Isles dman to score 70+ points since the Potvins (Jean had a 70+ point season believe it or not). He had 170 points over a 3 year period before last year’s bad year. He was questionable defensively though, and that’s why I’m psyched about Schaefer, he gives you both.
Good morning team! Gil, I love this subject. You know I'm a big fan of the prove it to me deals. I'm sorry, if a player doesn't want to hear from the organization that he played sub par for the money you're asking for, then play a high level game which forces the organization to need to keep you on the roster. I think the deal he got is very fair, and he has two years to bring his stock way up for a bigger contract. If that works out, I as a fan, would absolutely love it. Thank you, Sir. Everyone, have a wonderful day! See you all again on Wednesday. Until then.. Let's Go Islanders!!
It's incredible the work Darche has done to this team with what he had in such little time!
My biggest hope was that a New General Manager could clean up the Lamarillo mess, he’s gone way past my expectations, our future of being a very competitive in our division and in the league, thank you Gil 👍🏼LGI 💪🏼👊🏼
Drouin could be setting up Horvath and Barzy up pretty good. Speaking of earning it…I guess Duke goes to the second line. Will we ever see Maggio on this club?
I would love to see Schaefer play for my Nittany Lions, Penn State, with McKenna this season. Maybe he could bring McKenna with him to the Island next year, we can only hope. If that happens and they show some real chemistry on the ice, it might motivate Darche to do whatever it takes to make that happen. Imagine if the Islanders got McKenna, WOW! We can dream Isle fans! LGI!!!!
One of the many frustrating drafts by Milbury. Parise drops. Islander nations expecting him to get drafted. Stars all were aligned, J.P parise connection Ect and milbury Fu$ks it up. Then I remember the devils trading up to grab parise. Tough time to be an isles fan back then. Robert Nilsson was the pick. Kent Nilsson his father was the most talented player ever as per Wayne Gretzky. Well, it didn’t really work out for the isles with this pick. In addition, 2003 was one of the best drafts in NHL history.
Hi Gil! I am so excited to know we are in very, very capable hands with Darshe!! It’s gonna take 4/5 years to win it but we will bring that silverware back to the Island!! We need to see it again—-it’s childhood memories—-it’s Father and son memories—it’s family memories—-let’s be patient and allow our new great Gm weave his magic!! Equipment mgr—unreal hiring. It’s about a winning mentality—-take care Gil!! Enjoy the summer—-I’m ready to drop the ouch puck!! Never Say Die!
so we are waiting more years for Eiserman, Nelson, Finley, Matthew,. .We waited for Dufour, where is he, how about Maggio, where is he. Hey GM why is lee, J G and Mayfield still here. Why not void Palm. contract. bottom 4 teams in NHL, San Jose, Islanders, Pitts, and Black Hawks. Maybe then this team will realize we need SCORERS…also get rid of Duclair, no quitters on this team
Yeah, I'll name names, haha. One only needs to look at Engvall's contact, thanks ALOT LOU… Three million per for that lack of production… wow. I remember Lameo (my pet name for him, but I like that LOUZER moniker, too) sayng that Engvall's speed is really going to help this team… Sure. Doesn't play on the PP, nor PK, can't score, so where's the speed part come in, Lou? Oh right, he zips around the rink with his stick fully extended, pretending to forecheck, real entertaining, Lou. WOW!! Shades of Andew Ladd, mostly the length of contract, as he was a much better player, and his injuries made him a target of fans' frustration.
The clickbait headlines are so cringy, please enough with everything being shocking and urgent
Haven't felt this optimistic about this team in a long time. Looking forward to the season starting! Thanks Gil!
Agree with you Gil! 100 %. Mathieu Darche has injected fresh energy and a forward-thinking approach, starkly contrasting Lou Lamoriello's later years of mismanagement. Darche swiftly capitalized on the 2025 NHL Draft, securing top prospect Matthew Schaefer and bolstering the prospect pool with strategic trades, including acquiring two first-round picks and Emil Heineman for Noah Dobson. LGI