New York Islanders NHL trade deadline presents an Islanders balancing act for Mathieu Darche By Ethan Sears Published March 5, 2026, 6:44 p.m. ET Islanders GM Mathieu Darche speaks at a press conference. Robert Sabo for NY Post LOS ANGELES — How far is Mathieu Darche willing to go as a buyer in a trade market that, as of Thursday evening, appeared to be very much favoring sellers?
That may be the decisive question for the Islanders’ general manager as the final hours tick down toward the NHL’s trade deadline at 3 p.m. ET Friday.
Darche said some time ago that he would be willing to put a first-round pick on the table to improve the Islanders, who have two first-rounders in 2026 as a result of last year’s Brock Nelson trade.
A first-round pick on its own, though, may not get the Islanders much in this market and certainly wouldn’t be enough to bring a true difference-maker such as Jordan Kyrou, everyone’s favorite available top six piece at this deadline.
