Highlights from Episode 1 of the NY Islanders all-access docuseries: On The Island

The New York Islanders promised a fresh direction under general manager Mathieu Darche, and the debut of their new team-produced docuseries, On The Island, proves just how much has changed. For years, under Lou Lamoriello, fans were accustomed to silence and secrecy. Now, they’re being given an unprecedented, front-row seat to the inner workings of the franchise.

The first episode begins with Darche’s arrival and candid conversations with Islanders legend Butch Goring inside the team’s facilities. It quickly sets the tone: this is a GM who embraces communication, transparency, and authenticity. But the real hook for fans comes when the cameras shift to the NHL Scouting Combine.

Viewers are taken inside closed-door meetings with top prospects, including eventual No. 1 pick Matthew Schaefer, as well as forwards Victor Eklund and Kashawn Aitcheson. Islanders Director of Amateur Scouting Trent Klatt shines in these scenes, providing both insight and emotion. Klatt recalls exactly where he was when the Islanders won the draft lottery, and his passion is palpable as he tells Darche he’d “do cartwheels” if Eklund and Aitcheson, two players high on their board, somehow slipped to picks 16 and 17. He even goes so far as to compare Aitcheson’s game to former NHL stalwart Ed Jovanovski.

The drama ramps up on draft day. We see the Isles draft Schaefer, followed by the the defenseman receiving calls from captain Anders Lee, Bo Horvat and Mathew Barzal. We get to hear what was said between the players, including Barzal calling the kid a "stud" and saying enthusiastically, "we’re going to be dancing out there.”

Cameras capture Darche working the phones, gauging trade possibilities to move up for James Hagens, while also fielding calls from teams targeting the Isles’ mid-first-round selections. Ultimately, Darche chooses to stay put — a decision validated when Eklund and Aitcheson fall to New York, just as Klatt had dreamed. You also see cameos from familiar faces such as Matt Martin, Eric Boulton, and even Vladimir Malakhov, who turns out to be an European scout for the organization.

What makes this episode so striking is not just the access, but what it represents: a cultural shift. Fans are no longer left guessing what goes on behind closed doors. Instead, they’re invited to witness the process, the conversations, and even the nerves that define the NHL Draft.

On The Island doesn’t just chronicle the first steps of Darche’s tenure — it embodies the new era of openness on Long Island. For fans who craved a closer connection to their team, this series feels like a long-overdue promise finally fulfilled.