So much of Islanders’ future hinges on Mathieu Darche nailing No. 1 pick
NY Post
LOS ANGELES — Aside from June 25, 2021, when the Islanders lost Game 7 of the NHL semifinals to the Lightning, it’s hard to come up with a bigger date for the franchise in recent memory than June 27, 2025.
The 1-0 loss to Tampa Bay was the Islanders falling short in their best chance to win the Stanley Cup since the 1980s, and set in motion the four-year series of events that led to this offseason of incredible consequence, with Lou Lamoriello losing his job, the Islanders winning the lottery for the first time since 2009 and Mathieu Darche being installed as general manager.
Whatever follows will be traced back to the decisions the Islanders make Friday and perhaps in the few days that follow. That’s not just surrounding the No. 1 pick, which is widely projected to be Erie defenseman Matthew Schaefer. It’s about whether the Islanders trade back into the first round to draft James Hagens as well, whether they re-sign or trade Noah Dobson and any other decisions Darche makes that shape his first roster as general manager.
In the main, however, it is the No. 1 pick that will hold deep and lasting consequences for the organization far beyond anything else Darche may or may not do over the next few days.
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Another day, another AL East team making a big splash, and the only white smoke around Yankee Stadium is coming out of fans’ ears given their frustration over a quiet offseason to date.
The Knicks’ legs just weren’t there.
Tony Jefferson’s best friends told him to stay retired.
ST. LOUIS, Mo. — Just call him O.T. Miller.
INDIANAPOLIS — Mike Brown said it was “an organizational decision” to not raise an NBA Cup banner and didn’t talk to players about how it contradicted what he told them previously.
Tyler Austin, a former Yankee once referred to by Brian Cashman as a “mega prospect,” is back in the majors.
ST. LOUIS, Mo. — Sporting a red noncontact jersey, Adam Fox rejoined the Rangers for morning skate Thursday.
INDIANAPOLIS — Tyler Kolek sent another message that he’s deserving of a real chance at more minutes and the backup point guard spot.
Gabe Perreault is making his call-up to the Rangers count.
Clay Holmes is trusting that Mets officials have a grand plan this offseason that will explain the roster’s makeover.
Danny Wolf is as honored with his Jewish Joker nickname — a nod to Nikola Jokic — as he is amused by Draymond Green’s profane reaction to it.
The Jets are taking a chance on another quarterback, signing former college star Hendon Hooker to the practice squad Thursday.