The New York Islanders need to act fast to fill their general manager vacancy, but how fast can they actually go?
We know that this job is one of high interest, but we also know that some top candidates are still busy with their teams actively fighting to be named the 2025 Stanley Cup Champions.
Names like Scott White, the assistant GM for the Dallas Stars and GM of the AHL's Texas Stars, or Mathieu Darche, the assistant GM and Director of Hockey Ops for the Tampa Bay Lightning, are still busy working and cannot officially apply until their team is eliminated.
Right now, the Stars are tied 2-2 with the Colorado Avalanche, while Tampa is trailing 2-1 to the Florida Panthers.
We heard that New Jersey Devils Kate Madigan, via Newsday, will get an interview for the job, but her team is still alive, trailing 3-1 to the Carolina Hurricanes.
I'm sure, given the opportunity, their teams would allow them the chance to advance in their careers, but that's not always a given.
The good news is that the Islanders do have time to compile their list of personnel they'd like to interview so that when eliminations occur, they can proceed swiftly.
We are still unsure of the direction the Islanders want to take, whether they prefer a two-pronged leadership group with a president and a GM or just a GM.
Ken Holland, who is a strong candidate for the Islanders' president position, is currently a consultant for the NHL after leaving the Edmonton Oilers following the 2023-24 season. The Islanders can certainly speak with him at this time.
Marc Bergevin, who is the current president of the Los Angeles Kings, isn't an option -- yet-- tied 2-2 with the Oilers.
There is another factor to consider when discussing candidates.
While names like White, Darche, and Madigan could be strong fits, along with Bergevin, do they want to leave their winning teams, and are they under contract?
It's just something to keep in mind.
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