NASHVILLE, Tenn. — General Manager Mathieu Darche of the Islanders isn’t pushing for contract extensions for Anders Lee and Jean-Gabriel Pageau, both of whom will be free agents soon. He reaffirmed this sentiment on Thursday.
Extension discussions are still on hold for both players. Darche mentioned, before his team’s 2-1 shootout loss to the Predators, that he wouldn’t hesitate to let the trade deadline arrive without contracts in place if the Islanders remain competitive for the playoffs.
“This is the team I’m on right now,” Darche stated. “I don’t really set deadlines for myself. They know I value them, and they know they’re part of our team. We can start from that point.”
This approach contrasts sharply with last year, when Lou Lamoriello attempted to negotiate with Brock Nelson, ultimately dealing him to the Avalanche after unsuccessful discussions.
Context matters, of course. Last spring, the Islanders were struggling to stay in the playoff picture, while currently they sit in good standing, sitting second in the Metropolitan Division.
The situations surrounding Pageau and Lee are attracting interest around the NHL. Both players have partial no-trade clauses, yet if they become available, there would likely be significant demand for them.
Darche’s comments on Thursday seem to bolster the Islanders’ negotiating power with other teams. If they’re comfortable letting either player walk, there’s little incentive to settle for low-ball offers.
However, with the Islanders’ performance, it’s hard to see Darche being pressured to make a move. Notably, neither player has shown any inclination to leave.
“For me, I’m an Islander,” Pageau told reporters. “I play every night to win. That’s what’s in my control. Everything else will take care of itself.”
“Look, he needs to assess our team’s situation,” Lee commented. “I’m focused on helping the team secure extra points before the deadline. We genuinely believe we can make the playoffs.”
After missing out on last year’s playoffs, that confidence has been evident over the first 43 games this season, highlighted by a recent 9-0 defeat of the Devils.
The NHL will freeze rosters during the Olympic break, which may affect trade dynamics. Some see this freeze as a chance to add players ahead of the Olympics, while teams might wait for players’ return from Italy, hoping they come back healthy.
“You never know when things might shift,” Darche mentioned. “When you want to negotiate, it takes cooperation from both sides. Everyone has their own circumstances. Just because I think it’s the right time to make a move doesn’t mean it is for the other party. This could play out after the Olympics.”
Should the Islanders continue their strong play, discussions regarding Lee and Pageau might become irrelevant.
In that scenario, Darche could opt not only to keep the expiring contracts but also to bolster the team ahead of the March 7 trade deadline.
“I’m pleased to be fighting for a playoff spot,” Darche expressed. “There’s still much to do. Our aim this year is, ‘We want to make the playoffs.’ Although there’s a lot of season left, we’re in a good position right now.”
