Lou had an opportunity to learn from past mistakes with his last two jobs. His stubbornness with a whole lot of arrogance mixed in I’ll assume led to the same results. He had an opportunity to quickly improve this team a few years back. There was a strong draft and we had some expiring contracts that could’ve returned some assets. Instead we extended aging, bad, players and gave up assets for Horvat. Don’t hate Horvat but not exactly enamored with him either. Teams that actually drafted that year are reaping the benefits and here we are starting over more than likely. He looked at a layup opportunity to improve the team long term and spit in its face. That’s when I was done with Lou.
- Cptmjl

It appears that Lou’s business model was to put player or personnel over organization. If the reports are true that Chris Lam got extended that’s about as bad as it gets. Worst season in the history of the AHL, and you’re extending the GM (and isles AGM)? 4 wins at home all season and you’re at the table talking about extending during mid season? I’d bet money that’s when the proported rift happened between Lou and John Collins. It’s a dereliction of duty.

It appears that Lou’s business model was to put player or personnel over organization. If the reports are true that Chris Lam got extended that’s about as bad as it gets. Worst season in the history of the AHL, and you’re extending the GM (and isles AGM)? 4 wins at home all season and you’re at the table talking about extending during mid season? I’d bet money that’s when the proported rift happened between Lou and John Collins. It’s a dereliction of duty.
- kindlyrick

I mean we don’t know the exact timeline of everything and probably never will BUT if he signed his kid when he knew the owners may not be renewing his contract it seems a bit unbelievable. I would think they would have to sign off on it. The Palmieri contract is a whole different story. Some are reporting that it was done a while ago and Lou was weirdly just sitting on it. If that’s actually true then you have to wonder if Darche actually wanted to sign the guy or he got stuck with him.

Either way he padded his kids pockets for doing a bad job which absolutely disgusts me. I hate sh!t like that. It tarnishes whatever respect I had for the guy previously. If the owners just went along for the ride it screams incompetence. Not a good look all around.

The guy that knows more than any and all of us didn’t know that teams at times actually tell their fans they are doing a rebuild. Like teams do rebuilds under the cover of darkness so nobody will catch them doing it. Lol. Incredible how someone with such vast hockey knowledge wouldn’t be aware of this.

Wow check this out.

https://www.nhl.com/range...-about-our-team-295742648

If there’s any truth to Lou not taking that offer from the Oilers he’s a total (frank)ing moron.
- Cptmjl

It would be a mistake if true. In listening to Darche, he sounds like he will be maximizing all of his options. It would have been nice to have another 1st round either this year or in next year's draft.

It would be a mistake if true. In listening to Darche, he sounds like he will be maximizing all of his options. It would have been nice to have another 1st round either this year or in next year's draft.
- Nfdbulldawg

It would be nice to have any additional picks in either draft knowing that a new regime is making the picks.

It would be a mistake if true. In listening to Darche, he sounds like he will be maximizing all of his options. It would have been nice to have another 1st round either this year or in next year's draft.
- Nfdbulldawg

Darche is certainly saying good things. We'll see how it plays out. I'm not sure he can do a ton right now. It will probably take 2 or 3 years to evaluate him. For now at least he's saying what most of us want to hear.

Darche is certainly saying good things. We'll see how it plays out. I'm not sure he can do a ton right now. It will probably take 2 or 3 years to evaluate him. For now at least he's saying what most of us want to hear.
- JimmyP

So far so good Jimmy. Hopefully Darche can do some cleanup work this off-season and create more Cap room for the future.

Darche is certainly saying good things. We'll see how it plays out. I'm not sure he can do a ton right now. It will probably take 2 or 3 years to evaluate him. For now at least he's saying what most of us want to hear.
- JimmyP

I think he mixes a great business mind with hockey. Apparently he went to McGill University which is one of Canada's most prestigious institutions.

I think he mixes a great business mind with hockey. Apparently he went to McGill University which is one of Canada's most prestigious institutions.
- kindlyrick

My cousins went there.

I think he mixes a great business mind with hockey. Apparently he went to McGill University which is one of Canada's most prestigious institutions.
- kindlyrick

I don't know anything about McGill, but "prestigious institution" doesn't carry much weight for me these days.


That has nothing to do with Darche.

I don't know anything about McGill, but "prestigious institution" doesn't carry much weight for me these days.


That has nothing to do with Darche.
- JimmyP

Hahaha I’m with you. Just pointing out that he’s smahhht

Hahaha I’m with you. Just pointing out that he’s smahhht
- kindlyrick

Garth was educated as well.

I don't know anything about McGill, but "prestigious institution" doesn't carry much weight for me these days.


That has nothing to do with Darche.
- JimmyP

So true

Pelech L, Perunovich L, Reilly L, Romanov L
Boqvist R, DeAngelo R, Dobson R, Mayfield R, Pulock R

Players in bold are under contract.

If the Islanders select Matt Schaefer LD they can potentially let him develop another year in the NCAA.

Pelech (signed), Perunovich RFA (qualifying offer) Reilly UFA (offer 1 yr min) Romanov RFA (offer 3yr deal)
Boqvist (signed) DeAngelo (offer 3 yr) Dobson (????) Mayfield (look to move) Pulock (look to move if can get Dober and DeAngelo under contract.

If you are looking to keep Schaefer with the big club, then you decide on Perunovich and Reilly. Need to added George into the conversation. Does adding George allow Schaefer more time to develop.

If you can sign DeAngelo for 3, it gives you flexibility to offer Pullock to say Utah, the Hawks, and/or Sharks, a #1, or Montreal for one of their #1s

Pelech Dobson
Romanov DeAngelo
Reilly/Perunovich Boqvist

https://eyesonisles.com/m...islanders-gm-01jwntqshn5e

Not that I treat 'eyeonisles' as a highly regarded source of information, but in no way did I think, or do I think that Darche remotely sounds like Lamoriello at all. There are commitments that Lou and his predecessors have made that will take Darche more than 5 minutes to correct. IE Bridgeport.

The issue with the Isles is that they are considered in hockey terms as tweenier. Meaning that they are not good and that they are not bad.

Anyway, I guess it is the summer off season guessing game.

https://eyesonisles.com/m...islanders-gm-01jwntqshn5e

Not that I treat 'eyeonisles' as a highly regarded source of information, but in no way did I think, or do I think that Darche remotely sounds like Lamoriello at all. There are commitments that Lou and his predecessors have made that will take Darche more than 5 minutes to correct. IE Bridgeport.

The issue with the Isles is that they are considered in hockey terms as tweenier. Meaning that they are not good and that they are not bad.

Anyway, I guess it is the summer off season guessing game.
- Nfdbulldawg

I think there’s a huge difference in Lou and what Darche appears to be implementing. Players and staff will be hired or extended based on performance which is how it should be. I got the feeling that Darche would be bringing in his people as time goes on. I’d bet money Chris Lam is a goner….as he absolutely should be.

Pelech L, Perunovich L, Reilly L, Romanov L
Boqvist R, DeAngelo R, Dobson R, Mayfield R, Pulock R

Players in bold are under contract.

If the Islanders select Matt Schaefer LD they can potentially let him develop another year in the NCAA.

Pelech (signed), Perunovich RFA (qualifying offer) Reilly UFA (offer 1 yr min) Romanov RFA (offer 3yr deal)
Boqvist (signed) DeAngelo (offer 3 yr) Dobson (????) Mayfield (look to move) Pulock (look to move if can get Dober and DeAngelo under contract.

If you are looking to keep Schaefer with the big club, then you decide on Perunovich and Reilly. Need to added George into the conversation. Does adding George allow Schaefer more time to develop.

If you can sign DeAngelo for 3, it gives you flexibility to offer Pullock to say Utah, the Hawks, and/or Sharks, a #1, or Montreal for one of their #1s

Pelech Dobson
Romanov DeAngelo
Reilly/Perunovich Boqvist
- Nfdbulldawg

The kid is 17 years old and a defenseman. He’s not playing with the Islanders this season.

Edit- if he is picked maybe he gets the usual 9 game stint before they send him back to juniors. So I guess in a literal sense he may actually play with the islanders. Highly doubt it’s an actual lineup spot.

https://eyesonisles.com/m...islanders-gm-01jwntqshn5e

Not that I treat 'eyeonisles' as a highly regarded source of information, but in no way did I think, or do I think that Darche remotely sounds like Lamoriello at all. There are commitments that Lou and his predecessors have made that will take Darche more than 5 minutes to correct. IE Bridgeport.

The issue with the Isles is that they are considered in hockey terms as tweenier. Meaning that they are not good and that they are not bad.

Anyway, I guess it is the summer off season guessing game.
- Nfdbulldawg

I’m thinking with Ritchie maybe the only prospect being ready, there may not be a lot of changes. I can see JGP being traded if the Islanders want Barzal back at C to open up the 3C spot.

The kid is 17 years old and a defenseman. He’s not playing with the Islanders this season.

Edit- if he is picked maybe he gets the usual 9 game stint before they send him back to juniors. So I guess in a literal sense he may actually play with the islanders. Highly doubt it’s an actual lineup spot.
- Cptmjl

I see no real reason Schaefer should be in the NHL at all next year. The rush to get all 1st overall picks into lineups is not the smartest to me. Obviously guys like McDavid and Matthews had nothing left to prove at the levels they were playing at and it made total sense, but not every 1st pick needs to be fast-tracked to the big club. Schaefer is almost young enough to have been a pick in next year's draft and he missed almost all of his draft year season. I'd have no issues sending him back to the OHL or NCAA, if he wanted to go that route, to let him develop for another year. It's probably the best thing for his long-term development.

I see no real reason Schaefer should be in the NHL at all next year. The rush to get all 1st overall picks into lineups is not the smartest to me. Obviously guys like McDavid and Matthews had nothing left to prove at the levels they were playing at and it made total sense, but not every 1st pick needs to be fast-tracked to the big club. Schaefer is almost young enough to have been a pick in next year's draft and he missed almost all of his draft year season. I'd have no issues sending him back to the OHL or NCAA, if he wanted to go that route, to let him develop for another year. It's probably the best thing for his long-term development.
- Gabe Athaus

I think it would be helpful to give Schaefer another year. What is your take on the possible signing of Chris L? It makes me wish Collins was majority owner.

I think it would be helpful to give Schaefer another year. What is your take on the possible signing of Chris L? It makes me wish Collins was majority owner.
- ses111

I'd like to see those reports confirmed somewhere other than just from a Blues beat writer before I'm sold that they're true. Not to say Strickland isn't a good reporter, but I don't think I've seen anyone else saying the same thing (entirely possible I'm missing something though).

But if it is true, it's not ideal. I obviously didn't/don't expect Darche to come in and make sweeping changes in his first two weeks on the job, so plenty of time to deal with it, but I don't see any reason he should have a job with this team.

I'd like to see those reports confirmed somewhere other than just from a Blues beat writer before I'm sold that they're true. Not to say Strickland isn't a good reporter, but I don't think I've seen anyone else saying the same thing (entirely possible I'm missing something though).

But if it is true, it's not ideal. I obviously didn't/don't expect Darche to come in and make sweeping changes in his first two weeks on the job, so plenty of time to deal with it, but I don't see any reason he should have a job with this team.
- Gabe Athaus

I thought Cpt saw it from someone else?

I thought Cpt saw it from someone else?
- ses111

Like I said, entirely possible. I was busy all weekend so I didn't really pay a whole lot of attention. I don't like it and would like to see Darche show him the door sooner than later but I'm not going to act like it's going to have massive effects with the big club. My guess is maybe they give him the Garth Snow treatment and give him some unnamed back-office job in hockey ops until his contract is over so they at least get some measure of work for their money, rather than paying him to work for someone else.

Like I said, entirely possible. I was busy all weekend so I didn't really pay a whole lot of attention. I don't like it and would like to see Darche show him the door sooner than later but I'm not going to act like it's going to have massive effects with the big club. My guess is maybe they give him the Garth Snow treatment and give him some unnamed back-office job in hockey ops until his contract is over so they at least get some measure of work for their money, rather than paying him to work for someone else.
- Gabe Athaus

You cannot be busy on weekend when the Islanders have a lot of work to do.



Malkin is this great businessman, and he has no issue with wasting money?