Threading The Needle
Isles win Shabanov sweepstakes; Blue and White Scrimmage sells out
Good Morning, Islanders Country.
In just a few short weeks on the job, Islanders GM Mathieu Darche has made one thing clear—this isn’t a rebuild, and it’s not quite a win-now push either. It’s something in between, and he’s threading that needle with the poise of a seasoned architect.
Trading Noah Dobson to the Canadiens could have signaled a teardown. But instead of collecting distant picks and prospects, Darche turned a tricky situation—Dobson’s contract demands and limited preferred destinations—into immediate value. With picks No. 16 and 17, he grabbed Victor Eklund and Kashawn Aitchenson, two high-upside forwards with skill and edge.
He also insisted on getting Emil Heineman in that trade, a 23-year-old winger with size, speed, and NHL readiness. That’s not a rebuild move—that’s a calculated retool. Signing Jonathan Drouin added top-six offensive punch and addressed the league’s worst power play. Locking up Alexander Romanov long-term secured a physical, prime-aged blueliner. Then there’s the KHL addition of Maxim Shabanov—another high-upside swing in the mold of a team reshaping on the fly, not starting from scratch.
Darche hasn’t gutted the roster or clung to nostalgia. He’s navigating a challenging middle ground: staying competitive while getting younger and faster. It’s a tough balance to strike, but in the early going, he’s doing it with precision.
Islanders fans hoped for clarity this offseason. Instead, they got creativity. Darche is reshaping the future—without punting the present.
Let’s dive in.
📰 NEWS: Islanders GM Mathieu Darche continues to impress with his savvy, under-the-radar moves. The latest? A one-year, entry-level contract for 24-year-old KHL standout Maxim Shabanov, who’s fresh off a breakout season with Traktor Chelyabinsk. We recommend watching his highlight package:
Key Stats from Last Season (KHL):
• 65 GP — 67 PTS (23 G, 44 A)
• +17 rating
• Led KHL playoffs with 10 goals in 21 games
• Helped Traktor reach the Gagarin Cup Final
This marks the second straight summer the Islanders have dipped into the KHL, following last year’s successful signing of Maxim Tsyplakov. With Shabanov, the Isles are continuing a bold new strategy—targeting elite international talent who offer skill, speed, and immediate upside. Reports indicate the Islanders beat out multiple NHL teams for Shabanov’s services, including the New York Rangers and Philadelphia Flyers. Yet another win over the rivals, off the ice.
There are some pretty favorable comparisons as well:
SCOUTING REPORT: What Shabanov Brings
At just 5’8”, Shabanov makes up for his size with explosive speed, elite puck skills, and a goal-scorer’s mentality. He’s a top-nine forward with two-way instincts, capable of creating offense while staying responsible in his own zone. Expect him to challenge for NHL minutes right away.
Islanders Ink Emil Heineman to Two-Year Deal
The Islanders took care of more business with their restricted free agents, signing 23-year-old winger Emil Heineman, who was just acquired as part of the Noah Dobson trade to Montreal, to a two-year contract.
A former second-round pick (43rd overall, 2020 – Florida Panthers), Heineman spent last season with the Montreal Canadiens, where he appeared in 62 games, tallying 10 goals and eight assists for 18 points.
Summer Nights
The 2025 Blue & White Scrimmage event, the team's first midsummer scrimmage in over five years, drew a standing-room-only crowd, and the energy was palpable. Team White dominated, earning a 4-0 win over Team Blue in a 4-on-4 format across two 20-minute periods. Fans were treated to a post-game relay-style shootout, where White edged out another victory.
Standout performances and moments included:
Luca Romano, the Isles' 2025 third-round pick, opened the scoring with a slick tip-in.
Quinn Finley made waves with a smart finish and a key defensive play on a two-on-one.
Brandon Chabrier, a local invitee, snuck a goal past Danick Leroux.
Calle Odelius sealed the win with an empty-netter.
Seventeen-year-old Mathew Schaefer made his long-awaited return to game action following a December collarbone injury at the World Juniors. He drew a big ovation, flashed partial breakaways, and stayed after the scrimmage to sign autographs and meet fans, embracing the Long Island community.
Wednesday night’s scrimmage wasn’t about results—it was about connection, energy, and excitement. With fresh talent like Romano, Schaefer, Finley, and local standouts igniting the ice, the Isles' future looks vibrant, and their fan base is ready for what’s next.
🎥 ISLES REWIND: On July 3, 2018, the New York Islanders signed goaltender Robin Lehner to a one-year contract—a move that would become one of the most impactful signings of the year.
Lehner arrived on Long Island looking for a fresh start, and he delivered in a big way. In the 2018–19 season, he posted a 25-13-5 record, with a 2.13 goals-against average, .930 save percentage, and six shutouts, earning a William M. Jennings Trophy (shared with Thomas Greiss) and a Masterton Trophy for perseverance and dedication to hockey. Beyond the stats, Lehner's openness about his mental health and addiction struggles resonated across the hockey world, making his season with the Isles unforgettable both on and off the ice
🔗 The almost impossible offseason task new Islanders GM is pulling off by Ethan Sears, New York Post “The pair of mandates handed to Mathieu Darche upon getting the job as general manager of the Islanders are almost always impossible to make work simultaneously. Set up the Islanders for the future. And keep them competitive in the present.”
🔗 Passionate Islanders fans turn out for Blue and White prospect scrimmage to watch top pick Matthew Schaefer by Ben Dickinson, Newsday “Fans flocked in droves to see Matthew Schaefer take the ice in Islanders gear for the first time Monday and Tuesday at the team’s summer prospect development camp. The hype surrounding last Friday’s No. 1 overall draft pick has turned into hope for a new era of Islanders hockey, and it amped up a few more notches Wednesday evening during the team’s Blue and White prospect scrimmage at Northwell Health Ice Center in East Meadow.”
And we leave you with this…the boys reunited for Noah Dobson’s wedding.
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Great read and insights.
Kashawn Aitcheson is D-man.