Mathieu Darche: A Bold Move That Could Put the Islanders Back on Track

When I heard Mathieu Darche had been hired, I was pleasantly surprised. It’s not the sexy name that says the Islanders are all in. It is the name that says the Isles need to get with the times. That is to say, the Isles aren’t old, but maybe it’s time to trade in the Studebaker. 

Darche is more like a Ford Pinto, I jest, of course I mean a Ford Mustang. 

Enough of the metaphors; on to hockey dialogue. Why do I like the hire? I am glad you asked. Pardon me for using another metaphor, as a prosecutor for the defendant would say, “Let’s see the evidence.”

Keeping Patrick Roy

Every General Manager likes a mulligan. Roy gives the organization a Mulligan if things don’t work out. “He wasn’t my guy, now I’ll bring my pick.” This keeps everyone on an even keel and prevents panic in the dressing room. You want the transition to be as easy as possible for the players. Of course, it also keeps his butt out of the fire an extra year.

[You notice no image here. This is a family site; we don’t want any family filters going off over butt images. Okay, I am done.]

Maxim Shabanov

Maxim Shabanov is a no-brainer acquisition; a one-year deal for a highly skilled player. If he doesn’t work out, send him down to Bridgeport. It’s only a one-year deal, just move on. If he does work out, you have two options:

1. Keep him to make the playoffs; or
2. Trade him at the deadline to get more assets.

The only downsides are his size and reputation for being a one-dimensional player. The latter can be improved with coaching.

Trade of Noah Dobson

I am not paying Noah $9.5 million. No way, no how. Sorry, not doing it. From the Habs, you got prospects Kashawn Aitcheson and Victor Eklund, both of whom were considered highway robberies in the draft. And do not underestimate Emil Heineman, who is a pistol with some offensive upside. The bottom six are in dire need of improvement.

Johnathan Drouin

Jonathan Drouin brings in speed and more offense to an offensively struggling team. The Islanders’ cap is restrained this season, and Johnathan is a cheap option that fits the bill. He will fit in nicely with Barzal this year.

Matthieu Darche: How do you like me now?

Randy