New York Islanders General Manager Mathieu Darche addressed the media on Friday following the NHL Trade Deadline, reflecting on several moves made to strengthen the team as it pursues a playoff spot.
In his first deadline as GM, Darche acquired St. Louis Blues captain Brayden Schenn and signed JG Pageau to a three-year contract extension. These moves come after previous additions of Ondrej Palat and Carson Soucy six weeks ago, all aimed at supporting the team’s postseason ambitions.
“The players have done a great job putting us in a position to be in the playoffs,” Darche said. “We wanted to help them with the final push.”
Schenn is expected to play center for the Islanders, increasing competition among an already deep group of centers. Calum Ritchie is likely to move to wing to accommodate Schenn’s arrival. Darche explained that transitioning from center to wing is typically easier than the reverse, noting Schenn’s versatility.
“You can never have too many centers,” Darche said. “It just gives us a lot more options.”
Schenn brings experience and physicality, ranking among the top-25 in faceoff win percentage this season at 54.2%. The Islanders now feature four of the league’s top-30 faceoff performers: Pageau (60.1%), Bo Horvat (56.5%), Casey Cizikas (53.5%), and Schenn.
Darche highlighted Schenn’s physical style, referencing his 138 hits this season and willingness to stand up for teammates—qualities valued during intense late-season and playoff hockey.
“When you play hockey after the deadline and in the playoffs, it’s fighting for every inch on the ice, being able to take a hit and dish out hits,” Darche said. “We want to be physical, and Brayden does that, so I think he fits exactly what we need right now.”
He added: “We always said we want to be hard to play against. We added some snarl and Brayden fits that,” Darche said. “He’s a playoff guy. He plays hard. He if something happens, he’s not afraid to defend a teammate.”
While trading for Schenn cost New York one of its two first-round picks—the Colorado Avalanche’s selection acquired in last year’s Brock Nelson trade—the team kept its own 2026 first-round pick as well as key prospects Kashawn Aitcheson and Victor Eklund.
“We didn’t touch any of our top prospects that will turn pro next year,” Darche said. “We had two first round picks, so I was okay to move one, because I’m still drafting in the first round this year. I still have my first-round picks going forward.”
On Pageau’s contract extension, Darche expressed confidence in retaining an important player who has produced 29 points in 55 games this season while excelling on special teams.
“I think it’s a deal that fits for us going forward,” Darche said. “And you saw Pageau the last few weeks, how well he’s played… He still has years left in his career, so I don’t want to take a step back.”
Darche also provided injury updates: Defenseman Alexander Romanov is recovering from shoulder surgery performed last November and may return for playoffs if progress continues.
“He’s rehabbing really well,” Darche said. “It’s borderline for playoff, but there is a chance for playoffs.”
There was no positive update regarding goaltender Semyon Varlamov; he continues individual skating sessions but is not expected back this season.
“It’s one thing to take shots and move on the ice and it’s another thing to play games,” Darche said. “He’s not at the point yet of taking practice, so we don’t expect him this season.”
