ELMONT, New York — First-year Islanders general manager Mathieu Darche has made a significant impact on the team by completing two trades with rivals in the New York area, seeking not only to enhance the roster but also to instill confidence in his players. As the Islanders currently sit in third place in the Metropolitan Division, Darche emphasized the importance of aiming for the playoffs.
“I had to show our players, ‘Hey, I want to make the playoffs,’” Darche stated. “I want to reward them for where the team is at this stage of the season.”
Coach Patrick Roy echoed this sentiment, noting the excitement among players following the trades.
The first trade involved acquiring defenseman Carson Soucy from the Rangers in exchange for a 2026 third-round pick. This trade marked only the fourth instance of a player swapping between the two teams, a rarity that hasn’t occurred since 2010. Just a day later, Darche struck another deal with the New Jersey Devils, moving forward Maxim Tsyplakov to secure Ondřej Palát, who has a $6 million cap hit through the 2026-27 season. The Devils also provided a 2026 third-round pick and a 2027 sixth-round pick as part of the deal.
In total, Darche managed to regain the third-round pick given up for Soucy while adding another for future use. “We’re going to continue to draft and protect the future of the franchise and add two players that are going to help us,” Roy stated, reinforcing the notion that the Islanders have taken positive steps to improve.
Both Soucy and Palát are expected to join the Islanders’ lineup right away, with their first games against the Rangers—at home on Wednesday and on the road Thursday. Soucy, who has previously played for the Rangers, remarked on the friendly nature of the trade, appreciating that he wouldn’t have to relocate far, especially after welcoming a new child recently.
Darche sees Soucy as a player who can contribute physicality, experience, and solid penalty-killing abilities. With a commendable defensive rating, Soucy may provide the Islanders with the depth they need. Palát, a seasoned winger with a rich playoff history, was acquired to bring his experience and winning mentality to the squad. Despite his less-than-stellar performance with the Devils this season, he expressed optimism about revitalizing his production with the Islanders.
“I would love to produce a little more than in New Jersey, but I’m not here to score 50 goals a season,” Palát remarked, emphasizing his commitment to a well-rounded game. His willingness to join the Islanders also stems from the appeal of being close to family.
Both players’ smooth transitions to their new team could foster a strong chemistry on the ice. Darche’s efforts to finalize these trades ahead of the Olympic break aim to provide Soucy and Palát with ample time to acclimatize to their new environment before the season resumes.
Despite the recent changes, Darche is not done yet; he remains open to further improvements before the trade deadline. “Nothing’s off the table if I can improve the team,” he remarked, highlighting his proactive approach to management.
Overall, these trades present a hopeful future for the Islanders as they strive to solidify their playoff ambitions and build a more competitive team.