Good Morning, Islanders Country.
It’s a Quick Fix featuring Joe Buono (@IslesFix) and former VP of Communications for the Islanders, Chris Botta (@ChrisBottaNHL).
In this episode, Joe and Chris dive into an honest and nuanced discussion about the Islanders’ move to acquire Brayden Schenn, unpacking why the trade is far more complicated than a simple “win or lose” transaction. The two examine the deal from several angles, including the perspective of the new Islanders GM, Mathieu Darche, the players in the room, and the fan base trying to make sense of the cost and timing. Joe and Chris walk through the reasoning behind the move, the price paid to land an aging middle-six center, and why opinions around the Islanders community remain divided.
At the center of the conversation is Darche’s decision-making. As Joe and Chris explain, the easiest path would have been to stand pat when the asking price climbed too high. Instead, Darche chose conviction. The trade reflects a calculated decision to reward the current roster and show belief in the group already competing for the Islanders.
Rather than risk looking back with regret about not doing enough, Darche acted boldly and aggressively, making a move that signals intent. The episode explores whether that kind of conviction is exactly what Islanders fans have been hoping to see from the front office—and what it could mean for the team moving forward.
Listen and enjoy!
📚 SOUND SMART: Per Eric Hornick in The Skinny, Matthew Schaefer has drawn 30 penalties this season, more than any other NHL defenseman, and tied third in the NHL (behind Connor McDavid and Macklin Celebrini). He is a net +4(having taken only 16 penalties). Since penalties drawn were tracked in 2009-10, no Isle defenseman has finished a season higher than +11 (Noah Dobson 2021-22). John Tavares holds the club record for a season at +29 in 2011-12.
🎥 ISLES REWIND: On March 10, 1980, General Manager Bill Torrey acquired the “final piece of the puzzle” by acquiring 29-year-old center Butch Goring from the Los Angeles Kings for forward Billy Harris and defenseman Dave Lewis in the gold standard for trade deadline deals. Gording went on to win four Stanley Cups with the Islanders and was awarded the Conn Smythe Trophy as Playoff MVP after the Islanders won their second Stanley Cup against the Minnesota North Stars in 1981. Goring coached the Islanders for two seasons from 1999-2001 and serves as the team’s color analyst for MSG Networks. On Feb. 29, 2020, the team retired his No. 91 and inducted him into their Hall of Fame.
📺 New York Islanders Practice Availability | March 9, 2026
🔗 Islanders GM Mathieu Darche sees bright future, financial flexibility in upcoming seasons by Andrew Gross, Newsday “Mathieu Darche already likes what he sees for next season. And for 2027-28. And, possibly, moving ahead from there, though that strongly depends on what happens with Matthew Schaefer. Not that the Islanders’ first-year general manager is gazing at crystal balls to foretell the future, but given his expertise in managing the salary cap, he likes how the Islanders are financially positioned to shape their upcoming rosters.”
🔗 Newly surfaced video reveals why Islanders’ center Bo Horvat flipped Eklund’s helmet via Eyes on Isles “The NHL announced Horvat was fined $2,500 — the maximum allowed under the Collective Bargaining Agreement — for flipping the visor and helmet of Sharks forward William Eklund during a third-period scrum near the San Jose bench. The incident occurred at the 16:15 mark of the third period and was initially viewed as a strange outburst by the Islanders' center.”
And we leave you with this…Mathieu Darche joins the Tri-State Hockey Podcast.
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