Islanders fans should buckle up for big changes with Mathieu Darche as GM

Not even two weeks have passed since the New York Islanders hired Mathieu Darche as their general manager and executive vice president, but things are already starting to feel different on Long Island.

Once an impenetrable fortress guarded steadfastly by the iron fist of Lou Lamoriello for nearly seven years, the Islanders appear to be headed in a fresh direction – one that is more aligned with today's NHL. Whereas Lamoriello preferred to keep everything close to the vest, trusting only the chosen few in his inner sanctum with even the most trivial information, Darche preaches a message of openness and communication that feels like a breath of fresh air to the Islanders fanbase.

“As far as the media and the fans, I’m going to communicate as much as possible,” Darche said at his introductory press conference last week. “If I’m almost making a trade, will I say it? Probably not. But I’m open for communication, I’m always going to be honest with you, whether it’s a hard conversation or not. I’m going to be honest. That’s my way of being with people… The fans are passionate, so they want to know everything, I get it, but I still have to do my job the best way possible. So I’ll be as transparent as I can, that’s the way it’s going to work.”

Islanders’ hiring of Mathieu Darche signals fresh direction for 2025 and beyond

Darche's message wasn't just lip service, either. Later during the same press conference, he disclosed that Patrick Roy would return as head coach of the Islanders in 2025-26, announced a planned overhaul of the AHL coaching staff in Bridgeport and elaborated on the ankle injury that star center Bo Horvat suffered while playing for Team Canada at the IIHF World Championships last month.

The thought of revealing that much information to the media is probably enough to make Lamiorello's hair stand on end (what's left of it, anyway). But Darche seems to understand that building a perennial playoff contender doesn't have to require keeping everything close to the vest.

Transparency from a general manager is key – with the players, with the staff and with the fanbase. The early signs tell us that Darche is prioritizing communication and clarity as he begins to call the shots on Long Island, and that's certainly a refreshing change after the Lamiorello era.