When news broke that the New York Islanders were to name Mathieu Darche their next general manager, there were some concerns. 

Darche, who had spent the last six seasons as the Tampa Bay Lightning's Director of Hockey Operations, adding Assistant General Manager in 2022-23, has never been a general manager.

He's never overseen the operations and has never had the ability to call the shots.

Some believed that Brendan Shanahan, whose contract with the Toronto Maple Leafs had not been renewed, would be coming on as President of Hockey Operations, someone to whom the general manager would report.

While the Islanders spoke to Shanahan, it ultimately didn't work out. The reason is believed to be that ownership wanted to give Darche a full say in the construction of the hockey team. 

At one point in the search, I had heard that Marc Bergevin was offered the opportunity to be a senior advisor to Darche, a role Bergevin had for the last four years with the Los Angeles Kings.

I don't believe, at any point in time, Bergevin was offered the POHO title, which meant, like Shanahan, Bergevin would not have the final say. It seemed like a very quick and easy decision for Bergevin to pass on the opportunity as he returns to LA to serve that role alongside newly appointed general manager Ken Holland.  

So, without a president, who does Darche report to?

Darche reports directly to the owners, managing all aspects of the hockey operations department. 

The Islanders will not be hiring a POHO. This is Darche's team. He'll have the final say on who the Islanders select with the first overall pick at the 2025 NHL Draft and dictate the direction the club takes with their unrestricted and restricted free agents. 

As of now, Darche can rely on assistant general managers Stephen Pellegrini and Chris Lamoriello for guidance regarding certain situations as he gets a feel for his new hockey club. 

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