Mathieu Darche to Become New General Manager of New York Islanders

ELMONT, N.Y. — The New York Islanders are set to hire Mathieu Darche as their new general manager, sources confirmed Friday. Darche, 48, has been with the Tampa Bay Lightning since 2019, winning back-to-back Stanley Cups in 2020 and 2021.

Darche steps in to replace Lou Lamoriello, who parted ways with the Islanders in April after a disappointing season that saw the team miss the playoffs. The Islanders finished sixth in the Metropolitan Division with a record of 35-35-12, earning 82 points.

A Montreal native, Darche previously served as the Lightning’s assistant general manager, managing their hockey operations alongside GM Julien BriseBois. His hiring comes at a pivotal moment for the Islanders, who are beginning to rebuild their roster.

During his playing career, Darche appeared in 250 NHL games with teams including the Columbus Blue Jackets and the Canadiens, scoring 30 goals and tallying 42 assists. He now inherits a team that has entered a transition period, having dealt key player Brock Nelson to the Colorado Avalanche and facing decisions about restricted free agent Noah Dobson and free agent Kyle Palmieri.

Darche will also navigate the upcoming NHL Draft, where the Islanders surprisingly secured the No. 1 pick after winning the lottery. Without a clear frontrunner for the top selection, Darche will need to assess which player best fits the team’s vision moving forward.

Although he is stepping into an iconic role, the journey will not be without challenges. The Islanders are bringing Darche on board to revitalize the franchise and return it to playoff contention.