NY Islanders assistant GM Evan Gold sees a transitional team with major upside

Evan Gold did not need much time around the New York Islanders to change his opinion of the organization. In fact, the Isles' assistant general manager and general manager of the Hamilton Hammers told Jeff Marek on The Sheet podcast Tuesday that his view of the team is largely the same as it was from the outside when he was with the Boston Bruins.

“I don't know that it's any different than how I saw them now really, which is sort of a transitional team,” Gold said.

That transition, however, comes with some significant pieces already in place.

Gold pointed to an established veteran core, strong goaltending and what he described as a potentially “generational defenseman” in Matthew Schaefer.

Schaefer is entering his second NHL season after a Calder Trophy-winning rookie year and has quickly become the centerpiece of the Islanders’ future. Gold also believes the addition of Peter DeBoer gives the organization another important piece as it tries to move from transition back into contention.“Now with Pete here, especially, I think, you know, a veteran coach who's had tremendous success pretty much everywhere he's gone,” Gold said.

That combination is what made the opportunity attractive to Gold, who joined general manager Mathieu Darche’s front office this offseason.

He also cited his relationship with Darche, whom he has known personally for several years, and the chance to help build the next version of the Islanders. “That all of that together and what I think we could build here is what was really exciting for me,” Gold said.

The description of the Islanders as a transitional team is probably the most revealing part.

They are not undergoing a complete rebuild. There are still experienced veterans expected to play major roles, and the organization believes it can compete now. But with Schaefer emerging, younger players pushing for larger responsibilities and a new leadership group in place, the Islanders are clearly trying to build something different.

Gold sees that process as already underway.

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