It's not something he’d ever say publicly, but Mathieu Darche surely didn’t expect to be in this position in his first season as GM with the NY Islanders. But winning the lottery and drafting Matthew Schaefer with the first overall pick has changed the fortunes of the franchise much quicker than anybody could have imagined.
Now, with the trade deadline looming, the Islanders are expected to be buyers by Friday at 3 pm.
Darche has reportedly kicked the tires on Robert Thomas and Jordan Kyrou of the St. Louis Blues, but acquiring either of those forwards will likely cost a ransom.