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Eyes On Isles
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NY Islanders are trying but failing to make trades for a variety of circumstances

ByJiggs Westfall|
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Apr 12, 2026; Elmont, New York, USA; New York Islanders center Casey Cizikas (53) celebrates a goal with defenseman Ryan Pulock (6), defenseman Scott Mayfield (24), center Marc Gatcomb (16) and center Kyle MacLean (32) against the Montreal Canadiens in the third period at UBS Arena. Mandatory Credit: Alexander Wohl-Imagn Images
Apr 12, 2026; Elmont, New York, USA; New York Islanders center Casey Cizikas (53) celebrates a goal with defenseman Ryan Pulock (6), defenseman Scott Mayfield (24), center Marc Gatcomb (16) and center Kyle MacLean (32) against the Montreal Canadiens in the third period at UBS Arena. Mandatory Credit: Alexander Wohl-Imagn Images | Alexander Wohl-Imagn Images

If, as a New York Islanders fan, you've grown frustrated watching teams around the NHL, especially those in the Metropolitan Division get better, GM Mathieu Darche wants you to know it's not do to a lack of effort. Things just haven't worked out, at least not yet.

The Islanders general manager admitted after the first round of the NHL Draft on Friday night that he and his staff have been heavily involved in trade discussions around the league, even if none of those conversations have resulted in a deal.

"We didn't have any trades, but I can't tell you we've been quiet the last week because that's basically, I've had my phone attached to my ear," Darche said. "You're kicking tires. Teams are calling. You're listening. That's my job to listen on anybody that calls."

And based on the number of major trades that have already happened around the NHL this offseason, it's fair to wonder just how many of those conversations involved the Islanders.

"I've called a bunch of teams," Darche continued. "Was I in on some of these trades? Yeah, I had a lot of discussions with these teams."

The problem, as Darche explained, is that completing a trade often has less to do with desire and more to do with circumstance. "Some of it circumstances, some of it is, you know, it could be other players' no-trade clause. It could be various factors that we just didn't get anything through this time," Darche said. That explanation probably won't satisfy every Islanders fan.

After all, this is a team coming off its second straight season without a playoff appearance, and many around the league have questioned whether Darche's attempt to bridge the gap between the current core and the next generation is the right strategy. Watching players like Mason McTavish, Pavel Dorofeyev and others get moved elsewhere has only fueled those debates.

But Darche insists the work isn't stopping.

"Trust me, tonight on the way home I'm sure I'll be on the phone. Tomorrow we'll be on the phone all day through the draft and Sunday again," he said. "We don't leave any stone unturned."

For now, the Islanders remain on the quiet side even if the GM says they're not sitting quietly there.

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