Second tier > first tier
The New York Islanders GM search enters a new phase this week, according to reports, with interviews with some top candidates in Tampa Bay assistant GM Mathiew Darche, former Habs GM Marc Bergevin and former Columbus GM Jarmo Kekalainen.
Further to the update from colleague @StapeAthletic, my understanding is the Islanders plan to interview Marc Bergevin, Jarmo Kekalainen and Mathieu Darche this week as part of their GM search.
— Pierre LeBrun (@PierreVLeBrun) May 12, 2025
Also, if Lou Lamoriello sticks around supposedly it would be as advisor to ownership rather than an overseer of a new GM. We shall see.
As for one of their supposed top targets early in the search, Ken Holland appears headed to L.A. [Sportsnet]
Meanwhile, in the playoffs, last night’s series each went to 3-1:
- No surprise that the Hurricanes expanded their lead over the Capitals, who were never very convincing despite piling up regular season points.
- But Vegas looked shockingly gassed as Edmonton jumped them early and never looked back on the way to a 3-0 shutout in Game 4 in Edmonton. It was never close and Vegas should feel ashamed because I stayed up late hoping for an entertaining game.
- Mitch Marner has gone two games without a shot on goal, needs to shoot more and be more direct. [NHL]
- The PWHL had its first four-overtime playoff marathon. [NHL]
- Maxim Domi was fined “the maximum” $5,000 for his trash-ass dirty hit from behind at the buzzer on Aleksander Barkov. No doubt if Barkov had been seriously injured — a miracle he wasn’t — the NHL would have issued an actual suspension, but their logic has never worked that way.