Mathieu Darche's aggressiveness should worry the rest of the Metropolitan Division

No team hogged the headlines more during the lead into Friday's opening round than the New York Islanders. They've been on the clock since winning the draft lottery in May, and while their opening pick seemed obvious, it didn't stop them from making moves before the draft began. This aggression should concern the rest of the division.

Mathieu Darche has been on the warpath since taking over as general manager from Lou Lamoriello. Darche started Friday by completing a sign-and-trade with the Montreal Canadiens, sending defenseman Noah Dobson to the Habs with an eight-year, $76 million contract. Along with Emil Heineman, the Islanders added two more first-round picks at 16th and 17th overall.

The instant the trade details were revealed, the rumor mill kicked into overdrive with aspirations of bringing Long Island's own James Hagens home. They made the obvious decision to select Matthew Schaefer, but the Hagens' dream wasn't meant to be. Still, there was plenty to like about New York's night, especially after they used their acquired picks.

The Islanders have a strong case to be the biggest winners of the opening round. The group continued their night by drafting Swedish forward Victor Eklund and punishing Canadian defenseman Kashawn Aitcheson. It's a solid trio of prospects that the organization could build around for many years to come.

Darche and the Islanders have put the rest of the division on notice

The Metropolitan Division has been wide open for the last several seasons. The Top 3 changes year after year. After back-to-back conference finals appearances in 2020 and 2021, the Islanders haven't won a postseason series, falling in the first round to the Carolina Hurricanes in 2023 and 2024 and missing the playoffs in 2022 and 2025.

The Islanders have plenty of great pieces in place already, and there are even more on their way. Along with Schaefer and Hagens, Cole Eiserman has lofty expectations to be a contributor when he makes the leap from Boston College, and Calum Ritchie could be a big addition after being acquired in the Brock Nelson trade at the deadline.

Darche's aggressiveness has shown the rest of the teams in the division that they are here to make noise. Winning the draft lottery has breathed new life into the organization, and that should scare everyone else. Trading your top defenseman is a bold decision, but it also shows the Islanders are here to make waves and return to glory. After all, Darche knows what it takes to win.