The New York Islanders enter the 2025–26 season with a new GM at the helm, Matthew Darche, replacing Hall of Famer Lou Lamoriello. After finishing 12th in the Eastern Conference last season and missing the playoffs with a 500 record, the Islanders are retooling—and arguably rebuilding.
Hosts Neil Smith and Vic Morren break down what Darche inherited, what he’s changed, and what it means for a franchise that had the worst special teams index in the NHL last season. Power play? 31st. Penalty kill? 31st. Combine them? Dead last. Both assistant coaches were let go, but the pressure now falls squarely on Patrick Roy, who stays on as head coach.
They dive into the loss of key players like Noah Dobson and Brock Nelson, dissect what Emil Heineman, Jonathan Drouin, and David Rittich bring to the team, and consider whether top prospect Matthew Schaefer is ready to fill a top-pairing role on the blue line.
With a thin prospect pool and major question marks on the power play, can the Islanders overachieve and make a push for the playoffs? Or is this a transition year with the eyes squarely on the future?
IN THIS EPISODE:
[00:00] Overview: New GM, missed playoffs, worst special teams in NHL
[01:10] Noah Dobson & Brock Nelson departures — big losses
[02:45] Offseason signings: Drouin, Rittich, CC, DeAngelo
[04:30] Who replaces Dobson’s minutes and Nelson’s production?
[05:50] Can Barzal rebound from injury and stay healthy?
[06:30] The outlook for Matthew Schaefer and other young defensemen
[07:10] Patrick Roy’s challenge: improve special teams or face consequences
[08:20] Depth concerns, aging veterans, and overachievement expectations
[09:00] Can Rittich or Varlamov give Sorokin needed rest?
[09:50] Roy-Darche dynamic: How long is the leash for the head coach?
[10:15] Closing thoughts: An Islanders team focused more on the future than the present
KEY TAKEAWAYS:
Special teams were historically bad, and improving both units is mission-critical.
Noah Dobson and Brock Nelson are major losses, even if Montreal may have overpaid for Dobson.
The Islanders are not clearly better on paper heading into 2025–26—they may need to overachieve to stay competitive.
Goaltending remains a strength, especially if Sorokin gets support from Varlamov or Rittich.
Patrick Roy will be under pressure, both from a new GM and from a fanbase tired of mediocrity.
This season may be less about contention and more about transition, with key prospects like Schaefer taking on big roles early.
RESOURCE LINKS:
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👤 Neil Smith: @NYCNeil
👤 Vic Morren: Vic Morren on LinkedIn
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The NHL Wraparound podcast features Neil Smith, President-General Manager of the 1994 Stanley Cup Champion New York Rangers and longtime ESPN/NHL veteran Vic Morren sharing no-nonsense opinions on news and issues around the National Hockey League.
Bringing decades of experience from their respective fields, Smith and Morren create a unique partnership that examines the NHL from multiple perspectives. Additionally, as hockey historians, the pair can delve into any topic in today’s game and enlighten the audience with connections to events from previous years. To truly appreciate where hockey stands today, one needs to understand its past.
With 2024 marking the 30th anniversary of the Rangers last championship season, a special five-part series is planned to commemorate that magical run. Expect fascinating behind-the-scenes stories and special guests with particular focus on the GM who pushed all of his chips into the middle of the table amidst the most pressurized environments – and came out on top.
Whether you’re new to the game or a seasoned fan, each episode of NHL Wraparound will leave you entertained and informed.
