Islanders to choose GM before hiring president (maybe Shanahan)

I reread David Pagnotta’s tweet a few times. I wasn’t sure I understood what I’d read.

“The Islanders will soon choose a new GM. I believe it’s very close and a decision is on the horizon. Mathieu Darche remains a top candidate, and Marc Bergevin is still in the mix. The goal is to hire a GM, and go from there (Shanahan?).”

As I reported a few mins ago on @NHLNetwork, the Islanders are zeroing in on a new GM. I believe things are close & a decision is on the horizon. Mathieu Darche remains a top contender, Marc Bergevin has also remained in the mix. Focus is hiring a GM, then go from there (Shanny?)

– David Pagnotta (@TheFourthPeriod) May 22, 2025

My basic understanding is that the Islanders – who asked permission to speak to Brendan Shanahan this week – will hire a general manager BEFORE thinking about anything else, namely a president/president of hockey operations.

So an organization potentially keeps its head coach, hires a GM, and THEN thinks about hiring a boss for their new GM?

Let’s just say it’s unusual and completely backwards from the usual strategy.

Normally, we start at the top and work our way down: the president of hockey operations chooses his man for the GM seat, as Jeff Gorton did in Montreal with Kent Hughes, who in turn chose Martin St-Louis to be the club’s head coach.

Not only that… It’s a bit of a departure from today’s staff hierarchy, and from the usual role given to a high-ranking member of the hockey operations department: the president concocts a vision, and the GM executes on the field.

In a nutshell.

Mathieu Darche and Marc Bergevin, two men Brendan Shanahan interviewed before hiring Brad Treliving, would likely be the two finalists for the job. Without him being hired first, perhaps we already know his opinion of the two candidates at the Islanders?

It’s also worth noting that it’s rarely a GM who decides on a team’s vision, although he can sell one to his bosses. When it’s not the president, it’s the owner – who was the same person, in Montreal, when Marc Bergevin was in charge: Geoff Molson.

It’s an unusual way of doing things, but it’s not a huge game-changer either.

Overtime

– KK is left out and Renaud Lavoie goes through his stats…

Kotkaniemi left out tonight… @renlavoietva reminds us of his stats… pic.twitter.com/5eJtG6lo3n

– TVA Sports (@TVASports) May 22, 2025

– Cup or bust, in Edmonton.

“It’s cup or bust for Edmonton. This is their year to win the Stanley Cup” #LetsGoOilers #TexasHockey pic.twitter.com/7WC5NKxwso

– P.K. Subban (@PKSubban1) May 22, 2025

– Cayden Primeau wasn’t particularly happy with his game.

One thing I liked to hear from Cayden Primeau yesterday was that he mentioned after the game that he was “dissatisfied” with his evening on a personal level, despite, from my point of view, a great performance.

When I asked him why, he said he “swam..

– Anthony Martineau (@Antho_Martineau) May 22, 2025