With the dawning of a new era, the NY Islanders embark on a truly unusual season

Could a return to meaningful hockey be on the horizon?

May 5th, 2025, may be the day that the resurgence of the NY Islanders into relevance began. On that day, the NHL held its annual lottery for the 1st Overall Pick in the 2025 draft. With only a 3.5% chance of landing the opportunity to select a franchise player, the hockey gods smiled down from on high, giving the Isles that opportunity. At that moment, as a 50-year fan of this team, something felt strange. It was kind of like the scene where the Grinch's heart swells in his chest. Was it hope? Optimism? Dare I say pride in saying you were an Isles fan? As someone who remembers fondly the memories of our glory days, I can't help but dwell in the mire that has been the Islanders' recent past. But somehow, just maybe, the team would get this opportunity right.

Isles new GM brings life back to a frustrated and dismayed fanbase.

Before we move on, let me set the stage. On April 22nd, the Islanders announced that their GM, Lou Lamoriello, would not have his contract renewed for 2025. It was anticipated that the team would look elsewhere to replace Lamoriello, but where? Because of the way things have gone lately, fans were worried about bringing in a "retread" or some underwhelming choice to steer this team clear of the rocks. Isles ownership appears to have crossed all "T's" and hit the nail on the head with the signing of Tampa Bay Lightning's Assistant GM, Mathieu Darche, on May 23rd. He was key in helping build a strong Lightning team that won back-to-back Cups in 2020 and 2021. He had been in the running for several vacancies previously, but never found the right fit...until now. Not a lot was known about the 48-year-old by fans, so it was with cautious reluctance that he was welcomed to the Island.

So, with already having the 1st Overall Pick in the draft, Darche got to work. The first order of business was announcing that Isles Head Coach Patrick Roy would be back behind the bench. That move brought much-needed stability for the returning Islander players, who have seen five head coaches come and go in the last decade. Gone are assistant coaches Tommy Albelin and John McClean, and their running of the historically bad power play and penalty kill that cost the team so many points last season. In are assistants Bob Boughner and Ray Bennett. Boughner brings head coaching and NHL experience, while Bennett brings a wealth of knowledge and a Stanley Cup he won as an assistant with Colorado in the 20-21 season. Somehow, I know that the change in staff will ignite the special teams and help the development of the young guns fighting for roster spots now and in the near future. See, optimism is creeping into Islander Nation.