The new GM and Exec VP will see you now.
No major Islanders news from Wednesday other than the announcement that there will be news on Thursday: Mathieu Darche meets the press at 11 a.m. EDT on Thursday, a week after his hiring was announced and after he’s gotten his bearings and spoken with a few season ticket holders.
Personally, maybe the glow of the hire is still blinding me, but I like how they’ve handled this: hiring secured and confirmed before the U.S. Memorial Day weekend, but no reason to rush things in the offseason in terms of getting him in front of the microphones last weekend or early this week. Take the time, prepare, and figure out whether that Kyle Palmieri contract offer is in a no-takebacks locked drawer.
The presser will be streamed live on the Islanders site and in the app, another good sign for immediate communication with the people who fund this exorbitant entertainment product.
Expect more headlines today.
Islanders News
What else is there, but whatever Darche says?
- Before Darche says them, some Andrew Gross answers about him. [Island Ice SoundCloud]
- And other than the #1 pick question (which he of course won’t answer), of course the biggest question will be the future of Patrick Roy. [Post]
- A Lightning AHL exec is out; does that mean he’s Isles-bound? [THN]
- Granted, these two are absolute insufferable dweebs, but they had Cal Clutterbuck on their podcast to talk about the John Tavares departure and about life under Lou Lamoriello’s constant presence, including how he made sure they were prepared for the Covid bubble playoffs. [THN]
Elsewhere
- Alex Barkov continues to be the man. A late goal set up by his wizardry ensures the Panthers advance to their third consecutive Cup final. It’s not a dynasty (well, except maybe by watered-down Detroit standards, those sad Shanahan-dependent sacks), but it’s pretty damn impressive. And how great is it that the worst characters in Canadian hockey media have to deal with six straight years of Florida teams in the Cup final?
- A dirty hit by a Marchment?! You don’t say! Zach Hyman is out for probably the rest of the playoffs, but for all those Oilers fans who looked the other way while Bryan Marchment was a Ulf-level dirty bastard, I can only say that karma is a bitch with a long memory.
- Alright alright, let’s not overthink this, but Paul Maurice opposes having coaches and staff in the handshake line: “Maurice said several weeks ago that he isn’t sure when the post-round handshake expanded to include coaches, and figures someone years ago did it just to either be seen or grab some television time. He said when he started coaching, people in the suits weren’t in those handshake moments.” [Sportsnet]
- Even if his Stars fall short again, GM Jim Nill is an astute and humble architect. [Sportsnet]
- The three as of now remaining head coach vacancies all have meh candidates in the mix. [Sportsnet]