TAMPA — It had been several years since Mathieu Darche first emerged as a candidate to become an NHL general manager. As the Lightning’s assistant GM, he had been Julien BriseBois’ right-hand man in leading the team’s hockey operations department.

The New York Islanders have hired Mathieu Darche as their general manager. Darche joins the Islanders after spending the past six seasons with the Tampa Bay Lightning.

The New York Islanders have hired Mathieu Darche as their next general manager. TSN's Pierre LeBrun first reported the hire. Darche will succeed Lou Lamoriello, who had run New York's front office from 2018-19. The Islanders let Lamoriello go after they missed the playoffs this season.