Before Kyle Dubas arrived in Pittsburgh, the Penguins had reportedly identified a strong alternative in Mathieu Darche.
Mathieu Darche Tagged as Penguins’ Plan B
Darche, currently the assistant general manager for the Tampa Bay Lightning, was apparently high on Pittsburgh’s list of potential front-office leaders after Dubas departed from the Toronto Maple Leafs. According to an NHL insider, had Dubas not become available, Darche might very well be at the helm of the Penguins organization today.
Darche isn’t a newcomer in GM searches. He’s a hot prospect, recently attracting heavy interest from several franchises. He’s reportedly conducted strong interviews with the Chicago Blackhawks, Vancouver Canucks, and Montreal Canadiens, which simply demonstrates how respected he is around the league.
Now, his name is coming up again — this time with the New York Islanders. After landing the No. 1 overall pick in the draft, the Islanders are considering big changes and want a leader with a fresh vision. Darche fits that role well.
With his front-office experience under Julien BriseBois in Tampa Bay and a sharp hockey mind, Darche is expected to land a GM job soon. If not with the Penguins in the past, it could be with the Islanders in the near future.
NHL Coaching Carousel Continues in Boston
The Boston Bruins are on the prowl for a new head coach, and they might consider Rick Tocchet as their man. The Bruins struggled to come together after splitting with Jim Montgomery midway through the season and at the end of the campaign with interim coach Joe Sacco.
Now, the organization wants to find a tried and true leader behind the bench. Tocchet is set to be offered several big contracts this offseason. As for Boston, Tocchet is reportedly one of their top targets.
Tocchet’s expected to get several big offers this offseason, but the Bruins may be the most aggressive. Insider Jimmy Murphy says Boston is already planning to interview him and may consider him their top choice.
One source even said Tocchet is Boston’s “top target,” per James Murphy of RG.com, though it’s unclear if his tough style fits what the team needs right now. Still, with a career coaching record of 286-265-87, Tocchet brings experience and grit—exactly what the Bruins want to get back on track.
Landing him won’t be easy, but if the Bruins can lock him in, it could be a major step toward finding their old winning ways.