Islanders Anxiety - Episode 337 - Free Bagels in the Lounge

Mike and Dan recap Mathieu Darche's introductory press conference and his first decisions as Islanders GM. The most amazing thing about Darche's first press conference as Islanders GM was just how normal it was. From streaming it on the team's website to the little jokes about learning everyone's names, the hour-long presser was as by-the-book as it gets, which is why the new guy came off pretty well. Announcing there would be new assistant coaches and a new staff for the bedraggled AHL team was icing on the pound cake. We got clarity on the head coach - again, not a surprise - but one name wasn't heard, which was all the opening some folks needed to start wondering about whether or not the team was in the right hands. Darche then signed two players to contracts that were most likely already in his desk drawer by the time he sat behind it for the first time. Kyle Palmieri's new deal is a bit of a hometown discount and a devil-you-know-versus-the-devil-you-don't scenario. At a modest number and just two years, it gives him the stability he wants while also letting the Islanders move him next year should things go sideways. If he scores in his usual neighborhood of goals, it could turn out great. Adam Boqvist also returns on a cheap one year deal with an RFA expiry. What position he plays next season is anyone's guess. All of this is very sensible, especially for a new GM with a lot on his plate. The only question is: why was Mitt Romney sitting next to him at that press conference? We also take a few minutes to talk about the Stanley Cup final rematch, featuring our allies the Florida Panthers versus the Edmonton Oilers, who just might be pissed off enough from last year to sneak past the Cats this time. Subscribe to our Patreon!⁠⁠⁠ Members get ad-free episodes of the shows, bonus podcasts, written posts and much more. Or follow us for free to get announcements and our weekly release calendar. Visit our friends: ⁠⁠⁠Vintage Ice Hockey⁠⁠⁠ for t-shirts, hoodies and jerseys with hundreds of classic hockey logos, as well as ⁠⁠⁠the full line of Islanders Anxiety merch⁠⁠⁠. As always our portion of those sales go directly to the Center for Dementia Research. ⁠⁠⁠The Pinot Project⁠⁠⁠ has a Rosé, a Pinot Grigio and a Wine Enthusiast Best Buy Pinot Noir, all under $15 a bottle. Available at local wine stores and UBS Arena. Visit ⁠⁠⁠Lighthousehockey.com⁠⁠⁠ for the most up-to-date Islanders news and discussion. Islanders Anxiety podcasts are part of the Fans First Sports Network (⁠⁠⁠@FansFirstSN⁠⁠⁠). Our theme is "Morning Haze" by Family Dinner. Hear more of their music ⁠⁠⁠on Spotify⁠⁠⁠, including their new album "God Looks Out for Fools." Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices