Matt Martin’s New York Islanders have a new general manager for the 2025–26 NHL season, and it’s a former member of the Tampa Bay Lightning.

Despite being let go by the Maple Leafs earlier this week, it doesn't look like Brendan Shanahan will be joining the Islanders.

The New York Islanders jumped 10 spots in the 2025 Draft Lottery, cashing in on their 3.5 percent odds to land the No. 1 overall pick after finishing 23rd out of 32 teams during the 2024-25 season. It was a massive windfall for the Islanders, but the timing couldn’t have been funkier.

The New York Islanders are hiring Mathieu Darche as their new general manager, Pierre LeBrun of TSN and The Athletic reports. Darche, 48, was reportedly one of

Brendan Shanahan spoke with the New York Islanders, but he won’t taking the job as the President of Hockey Operations. Following news that the Islanders had requested an opportunity to speak with Shahanan (which was granted by the Toronto Maple Leafs),

Michael Misa (6-1, 184), a center with Saginaw of the OHL, could be another option for the Islanders. Misa, No. 2 on Central Scouting's final ranking of North American skaters, won the Eddie Powers Trophy as the top scorer in the OHL after finishing the regular season with 134 points (62 goals, 72 assists) in 65 games.

The New York Islanders are closing in on hiring a new general manager, with two prime candidates emerging as the frontrunners, according to NHL insider Dave Pagnotta.