Darche - First Tests - Looking Good!

It is July 8th.  The frenzy of free agency has dissipated to a slow burn.  Iwill safely bet that most General Managers are at their cottages, or vacation spots, resting and getting ready for the upcoming season.

So how do you think that Matthieu Darche did in his first summer so far as the General Manager of the Islanders?

Grade it...

A - He Killed it

B - Good moves

C - Meh

D - Not enough

F - Waste of time

To me - I will give him a B+ for the grade.  I like what he did - I do not give an A because of what he did or didn't do - but for the fact that free agency is not a big list of heavy names, and his limitations on the salary cap that he inherited.

Let's analyze what happened and what I (and you) think about the moves.... (Add comments at the bottom of the post)

1. Dobson trade
   1. Bye bye #8. He did not deserve 11 million now - not even 9.5 that he got from the Habs, but for a kid like him - that is the going rate. If he had Makar like numbers - perhaps.  He will do well with Cale Hutson for the Habs, but he has liabilities that I hope don't get overexposed.
   2. Eklund and Aitchenson - Ranked 9 and 10 on most radars, slipped to 16 and 17 respectively.  Other team's losses is our gains.  Both are projects (at least 2 years away), but I think these are talented young men that I think will be a help in years to come.  Can't wait to see Aitchenson hit people like he does in the OHL.
   3. Heinemen - the 'player to be named later'.  A soon-to-be fourth liner - he has a scoring touch and will be a solid player that will work with Casey Cizikas quite well.
2. Other Draft Thoughts
   1.  #48 - NO BRAINER - anyone who doesn't think that he should be number one on the draft board is sorely mistaken.  And he showed throughout camp why he was.  The attitude, and the skill will make the decision to send him back quite difficult
   2. Luca Romano - a childhood friend of #48, Romano looked good in the scrimmage.  Fast, good hands, another project that we might have 'stole'
   3. Mikhail Prokorov - MONSTER on skates.  Still growing - he heads to the KHL in September.  He has every skill needed to make the NHL and when he stopsd being a raw talent, has a lot to give
   4. Burke Hood - 6th round goalie picks are not as much of a surprise as you would think they would be.  I like his side to side movement - strong with the glove - 4 years away - but keeping his numbers consistent in Vancouver in the WHL will be a plus for the Isles future
3. RFA's
   1. Simon Holmstrom - I think he got a nice deal for a job well done.  Next year, he will be more of a target, because his abilities have improved a great deal.  "Show me" what you can do and that 3.5 million can double in 2 years (would like that 100% raise).
   2. Marc Gatcomb - surprise of 24-25.  Got a 'thank you for busting your butt' deal.  Now has to fight Kyle Maclean for the last spot on the 4th line with Cizikas and Heinemen.
   3. Gauthuer and Foudy - nice two way deals.  Players capable of helping the kids in the port.
   4. Max Tsyplakov - hopefully he signs before arbitration.  Usually players do not perform after the arbiter makes a decision
4. UFA's
   1. Jonathan Drouin - Almost a point per game player over last 100 games.  Nathan MacKinnon has a small factor in that, but he got the jolt in his career with those years in Colorado.  Now with Mat Barzal and Bo Horvat, can he continue his much improved play?
   2. David Rittich - The Islanders version of State Farm - insurance in case of Varly's LTIR.  $1 million isnt much for a guy that won 16 games in the NHL last season.
   3. Maxim Shabonov - this years version of Tsyplakov, has a huge upside - will it translate to NHL success?  If it does - it is a home run - if not - then not a big deal at 950K.
5. Organizational Image
   1. Bringing back the scrimmage - big win - getting fans for practice and a full house last Wednesday was a huge plus to make positive moves for the fan base.  Getting excited for hockey in July will make even more in September when full camp starts
   2. No more Lou's Rules - Ask Kyle Palmieri if he is thrilled that he doesn't have to shave after every period?  Having very little fan interaction does not help you improve the base.  Especially the little ones.

So my grades for each section:

1.   Dobson Trade - B+
2.   Draft - A+ (Duh)
3.   RFA's - B
4.   UFA's  - B- (only because of the lack of players to select)
5.   Organization - B+

TOTAL GRADE - B+

So that is how i see the start of the Darche era.  Also - note that it is my opinion that I think Patrick is on thin ice.  He has to come out this season and make an immediate statement.  if he goes 10-12 to start, it may force a change.  So the pressure is on buddy! However, I feel that Patrick will come through.  After all, he is Patrick Roy!  No one questions his passion and perseverence.

So I will be blogging from time to time on the team.  Let me know what you thought of this.  Also - If YOU want to blog here - let me know and I will be glad to give you an account to do so.

#LGI

Gary Harding