Darche seems to be more of a hope on this thread than a realistic option which is what I’m referring too. I haven’t seen his name reported other than this thread. If he is sign me up
- Cptmjl

True…..maybe I’m just optimistic and excited that we’re not reading that Chris Lamoriello got upped

Darche seems to be more of a hope on this thread than a realistic option which is what I’m referring too. I haven’t seen his name reported other than this thread. If he is sign me up
- Cptmjl

Seems to be shaping up that way. Also nothing precludes them from being able to let an experienced guy run things for a year and evaluate the organization and then eventually bring in one of those 'up-and-coming' GM candidates.

Not entirely unlike what Sakic did in Colorado, where eventually brough in Chris MacFarland to run things while he moved solely to the President position.

True…..maybe I’m just optimistic and excited that we’re not reading that Chris Lamoriello got upped
- kindlyrick

Chris is put out to pasture. There is no chance he’s sticking around after Lou’s contract wasn’t renewed. Who knows as far as a new GM it very well could be Darche and nobody knows it yet. I doubt anyone, including those reporting about, have a clear idea who is really in the running.

Chris is put out to pasture. There is no chance he’s sticking around after Lou’s contract wasn’t renewed. Who knows as far as a new GM it very well could be Darche and nobody knows it yet. I doubt anyone, including those reporting about, have a clear idea who is really in the running.
- Cptmjl

The irony that now Chris Lam can now grow that unemployed beard. lol

The irony that now Chris Lam can now grow that unemployed beard. lol
- kindlyrick

Layoff beard

Pierre LeBrun
@PierreVLeBrun
My understanding is the Habs’ response to the Islanders is that Jeff Gorton is in Montreal to stay.

Layoff beard
- Gabe Athaus

Hahahaha. Amazing

https://thehockeynews.com...opportunity-for-islanders

Or, instead of trading back into the first round this year, we can maybe get Howard out of Tampa with that Colorado pick. He'd have to want to sign here, but I'd fork that pick over for him if he were willing.

Would ultimately make the return for Nelson insane. Isaac Howard and Cal Ritichie for two months of Brock Nelson

Pierre LeBrun
@PierreVLeBrun
My understanding is the Habs’ response to the Islanders is that Jeff Gorton is in Montreal to stay.
- Gabe Athaus

More and more, it's looking like Holland.

https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/new-york-islanders/latest-news/isaac-howard-fallout-in-tampa-could-create-opportunity-for-islanders

Or, instead of trading back into the first round this year, we can maybe get Howard out of Tampa with that Colorado pick. He'd have to want to sign here, but I'd fork that pick over for him if he were willing.

Would ultimately make the return for Nelson insane. Isaac Howard and Cal Ritichie for two months of Brock Nelson
- Gabe Athaus

Not a bad move at all.

The irony that now Chris Lam can now grow that unemployed beard. lol
- kindlyrick

He probably has a sense of relief which will be followed by a lack of funds.

Layoff beard
- Gabe Athaus

Pierre LeBrun
@PierreVLeBrun
My understanding is the Habs’ response to the Islanders is that Jeff Gorton is in Montreal to stay.
- Gabe Athaus

Killjoy

https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/new-york-islanders/latest-news/isaac-howard-fallout-in-tampa-could-create-opportunity-for-islanders

Or, instead of trading back into the first round this year, we can maybe get Howard out of Tampa with that Colorado pick. He'd have to want to sign here, but I'd fork that pick over for him if he were willing.

Would ultimately make the return for Nelson insane. Isaac Howard and Cal Ritichie for two months of Brock Nelson
- Gabe Athaus

This for 4 assists in a 7 game series.

This for 4 assists in a 7 game series.
- Cptmjl

Nelson did not let me down.

This for 4 assists in a 7 game series.
- Cptmjl

They could have had Cal Ritchie and Mikko Rantanen (and next year's 1st) if they just gave Rantanen the like $500k difference in their negotiation

How does Matthew Schaefer compare to recent No. 1 NHL Draft picks? Scouts, execs weigh in

Corey Pronman
May 6, 2025 7:00 am EDT

The first-overall pick in the NHL Draft is always highly anticipated. This article compares the last nine No. 1 picks with this year’s top prospect, Matthew Schaefer, based on rankings from NHL scouts and executives. The idea of this article is to ask the evaluators to compare Schaefer to the other players at the time of their drafts, not incorporating how they have played since then. Six NHL scouts and executives were polled for this list.

Following the lottery, a collection of our NHL reporters combined for a mock draft of the first 16 picks.

1. Auston Matthews, 2016 (Toronto Maple Leafs)
Average ranking: 1.67
Range of votes: 1st – 2nd

Matthews consistently ranked at the top for the scouts, replacing Connor McDavid in this annual exercise for the top position. He was viewed as a potential franchise center due to his size, elite skill and shot.

2. Macklin Celebrini, 2024 (San Jose Sharks)
Average ranking: 2.83
Range of votes: 1st – 5th

While I try to use mostly the same scouts every year for this exercise, sometimes I have to change the voters. I say this because Celebrini was fifth last year, behind Matthews, Connor Bedard and Jack Hughes. This exercise is about how players were viewed at the time of the draft, and Celebrini was highly regarded for his all-around play, but some evaluators last season were worried about his offense in the NHL. The ones I polled this year were not, and most claim they always viewed him as having star offensive upside to go with great compete level.

3. Connor Bedard, 2023 (Chicago Blackhawks)
Average ranking: 3.33
Range of votes: 1st – 6th

Bedard was a consensus top pick in his draft, with a massive hype machine behind him after his dominant performances in the WHL and World Juniors. There were minor concerns on his size and lack of elite speed, but overall a ton of love for the player. His ranking reflects how high scouts were on the offense, but the variance reflects some uncertainty on the player. One NHL executive on why he put Celebrini over Bedard: “I think Celebrini makes others better more often. He’s a true center who you’ll trust in more situations.” Another test in hindsight bias, as last year no evaluator placed him lower than third, but this year he got a fourth-, fifth- and sixth-place vote.

4. Jack Hughes, 2019 (New Jersey Devils)
Average ranking: 4.67
Range of votes: 3rd – 7th

Hughes had a monster draft season as the leading player on one of the very best U.S. NTDP teams ever. His combination of elite skating and skill excited scouts. The one who placed him seventh noted worries about his frame and how that would hold up in the playoffs.

5. Matthew Schaefer (2025 NHL Draft Eligible)
Average ranking: 4.83
Range of votes: 2nd – 7th

This year’s top pick comes in right at the middle of the pack. Schaefer is a great skating defenseman with size and very good puck-moving ability. He missed most of the season due to mono in the fall and a broken clavicle he suffered at the World Juniors. When healthy, he dazzled at several major events such as the Hlinka Gretzky and CHL/NTDP series.

The executive who ranked Schaefer second thinks he could be a Norris-winning defenseman around whom you can build a contender. The scouts who ranked him lower had minor questions on his offensive upside, as well as the lack of data on him. “He’s a consensus No. 1 pick in part based on a handful of great international showings, but who knows how his season would have gone if he wasn’t hurt all year,” said one scout.

6. Rasmus Dahlin, 2018 (Buffalo Sabres)
Average ranking: 5.33
Range of votes: 3rd – 8th

It’s easy to forget the hype there was for Dahlin in 2018 and the lengthy highlight reel he piled up in Sweden. He’s one of the most skilled defensemen I’ve seen. One NHL executive said at the time of his draft that they viewed Dahlin as an annual Norris contender. The exec who ranked him lower pointed to a worry at the time about how his style of play, an aggressive skill-driven defenseman, would translate to the NHL.

7. Owen Power, 2021 (Buffalo Sabres)
Average ranking: 7.00
Range of votes: 6th – 10th

The voters saw a drop off after Dahlin to the next group of players. Power was a very unsexy No. 1 pick. His assets were being a huge defenseman who could skate well and make legit offensive plays. That’s an exciting package, but there was never anything truly “special” about his toolkit, even if the scouts who had him highest thought he could be Victor Hedman if he truly hit.

8. Nico Hischier, 2017 (New Jersey Devils)
Average ranking: 7.83
Range of votes: 6th – 9th

Hischier was a well-liked player in his draft season who excited evaluators with his skill, hockey sense and all-around play. He wasn’t considered the most dynamic forward you’ll ever see taken at the top of the draft, though, which was reflected in the votes.

9. Alexis Lafrenière, 2020 (New York Rangers)
Average ranking: 8.00
Range of votes: 3rd – 10th

I appreciated the brutal honesty from the executive who put Lafrenière at No. 3, as he was very highly touted coming out of the QMJHL. His footspeed has held him back in the NHL to date, though, and was the main concern of evaluators for why they put him toward the bottom.

10. Juraj Slafkovský, 2022 (Montreal Canadiens)
Average ranking: 9.50
Range of votes: 8th – 10th

Slafkovský got beat up by the panelists a bit over his hockey sense, but keep in mind he’s probably been better than some expected in the NHL. His draft season was up and down with great international showings but scouts didn’t love him in Liiga.

Yea it's pretty close to that. Sucks hagens took a small step back this season but I think he's option 3
- Upstate_isles

I think I could live with Holland as as president but not GM. Glad Chiarelli doesn't seem to be in the mix and I hope that part doesn't change ever in future

Very interested in Gorton
- Gabe Athaus

Mentioned it the other day. I think he was great for the Rags rebuild and he’s done a good job in Montreal. Would be real happy with him.
I don’t think he will leave Montreal honestly.
Hope I’m wrong

Edit: saw your post about Gorton

I don't even think it's a guarantee that Hagens goes in the top 5. I think he probably does, but I wouldn't be shocked if he fell outside of it.

It would be really cool to have the hometown kid who is an Isles fan play for us, but I think it absolutely has to be Schaefer or Misa, and I'm heavily leaning Schaefer...as much as I like Misa.
- Gabe Athaus

That could go either way. He could thrive like Fox has or he could implode from the pressure of being the 'hometown kid'. Not sure it's worth the gamble, especially other talent to choose from.

According to Pagnotti, Darche is on the list for GM candidates:
https://x.com/thefourthpe.../1919844426119070103?s=46

According to Pagnotti, Darche is on the list for GM candidates:
https://x.com/thefourthpe.../1919844426119070103?s=46
- streaks

Give me Darche with Bergy as Pres of HO.
Would love that. Keep Roy and rebuild/tool this team.
Very excited about this team and it’s turn of luck recently!

Give me Darche with Bergy as Pres of HO.
Would love that. Keep Roy and rebuild/tool this team.
Very excited about this team and it’s turn of luck recently!
- nyisles7

I’d take that mgmt team. Looking forward to the next few months for sure.

I’d take that mgmt team. Looking forward to the next few months for sure.
- streaks

Nashville isn't, on paper, a "bottom 5 team". I wonder if Dobson and Colorado's 1st next year gets the Islanders back into the 1st round at #5.

They are severely lacking RHD:


- Gabe Athaus

First, I doubt Trotz helps us out in this situation. Second, they have a top end right D in the AHL system that will probably be on their roster next season. Ryan Ufko.