5 pressing questions for new NY Islanders GM Mathieu Darche fans need answers to

5. What’s your plan for the No. 1 overall pick?

And finally, the biggest prize: the first overall pick in the 2025 NHL Draft. The Islanders haven’t picked this high since 2009 (hello, John Tavares), and this pick could shape the next decade. Darche’s draft philosophy and first decision on June 27th could define his tenure. The consensus rankings say defenseman Mathew Schafer is the pick, but there is an intriguing group of forwards led by OHL leading scorer Michael Misa and hometown star James Hagens to choose from as well. Does he entertain a very rare trading of the top overall pick for more assets? Would he move a veteran and future assets to trade back into the first round if a player high on his board is still there? He'll make these decisions with the existing Islanders scouting department, but these moves will forever be viewed as Darche's first big decisions as the Islanders' GM.

Bonus Questions

What is his approach this summer with captain Anders Lee and JG Pageau entering the final season of their contracts? When we he start negotiations with restricted free agent Noah Dobson on a long-term extension or another bridge deal? If Patrick Roy stays, what is the fate of the Islanders assistants? Does Chris Lamoriello and Steve Pelligrino stay in the organization? Does he plan to bring in his own senior advisors to report into him and round out his brain trust?

There's a lot of Darche to answer and even more to do. It's a big opportunity, and an even bigger job for him to handle, with lots of questions and not a lot of time to find the answers.