Rumors Swirl That Islanders Close on Marc Bergevin

After a full month-long search, buzz in league circles suggests the New York Islanders are closing in on Marc Bergevin to fill one of the roles in their vacant front office.

It’s not yet known if Bergevin would be the general manager or president of hockey operations, or like Lou Lamoriello, whom the Islanders fired last month, both.

The chatter picked up steam over the weekend. League sources believe Bergevin and the Islanders are close. Monday, multiple media reports indicated the finalists were Mathieu Darche and Bergevin, but league sources believe it’s likely Bergevin’s job.

The Islanders’ search committee valued experience highly, heavily pursuing Ken Holland until he passed for the Los Angeles Kings’ opening.

Bergevin was the Montreal Canadiens’ general manager from 2012 to 2021. He also played 76 games for the Islanders from 1988 to 1990.

Bergevin’s Canadiens made it to the 2021 Stanley Cup Final, but he was ousted just months later, thanks to an expiring contract and burnout. His trading record is expansive, totalling almost 100 moves, with some major hits and, of course, some misses. His best work includes acquiring Nick Suzuki (and more) for Max Pacioretty.

Regarding the draft, Bergevin was inconsistent. National Hockey Now colleague Marc Dumont broke down his draft record.

Read More: Comparing Bergevin and Hughes Draft Pick Value

The middling Islanders need firm, bold strokes to chart a new direction, and that has been one of Bergevin’s great strengths. He can be fearless in that regard. After all, Bergevin is the GM who dealt the immensely popular P.K. Subban for Shea Weber, one-for-one. He signed Sebastian Aho to an offer sheet in 2019 that the Carolina Hurricanes angrily denounced before matching. He drafted Cole Caufield after many doubted his size and ability, despite an elite shot.

Whomever gets the job will replace Lou Lamoriello. Lamoriello took over on May 22, 2018, and led the Islanders for seven years. In that time, he led the team to two consecutive Eastern Conference Finals. Both years, 2020 and 2021,  the Islanders fell to the Tampa Bay Lightning.

After those peaks, things began to unravel. Overcommitments to the existing core led to prolonged mediocrity, with the Islanders sneaking into the playoffs in 2023 and 2024, while missing outright in 2022 and this season. After missing this season, ownership decided to move on from Lamoriello.

If the choice is Bergevin, he will undoubtedly provide a bold direction, one way or another. He inherits the first overall pick in this year’s draft and the ability to remake a large portion of the roster.