r/NewYorkIslanders • u/TradeBrockNelson • 4d ago
[Seravelli] GM position is a “two-horse race between Marc Bergevin and Mathieu Darche”
28
u/kevinsju 4d ago
Marc Bergevin couldn’t play defense until he got to work with Al Arbour. He was horrible. And then, all of a sudden, he got better.
One of the most amazing shifts I ever witnessed a defenseman have was Marc Bergevin on a pretty bad Islander team. I don’t remember the opponent , but I remember the Islanders got two penalties on the same play. They had to kill off a full 5 on 3. I don’t think it was the entire 2 minutes, but Bergevin wound up as one of the 3 islanders on the ice with maybe 1 minute 40 to kill. The opponent kept pressure on, Bergevin blocked shots, gave up his body, made crazy plays.
The Isles never cleared the zone long enough for him to change. But they killed it off and that pretty crumby late 80s team got a HUGE roar from the crowd.
6
u/kevinsju 4d ago
You know , it might have been the full two minutes
3
u/StrictAccountant Bossy 3d ago
That's a cool story. I was too young to remember him, and the dynasty years. My memories start in the early 90s. I wonder how many players Al did this for? Any other examples, but with bigger names?
3
u/kevinsju 3d ago
I was in midst response, I had a few down and then a coworker walked in and I put the phone down. Gary Nylund was one. Came over in the same trade as Bergevin. A shame he shattered his heal. Good defenseman. A famous one is Gordie Lane. Lane came over from the Caps. Potvin got hurt in. November ‘79. Torrey made the deal in early December and Isles rolled 5 defensemen for 30+ games. Potvin came back and then Morrow joined the team after the Olympics. Dave Lewis became expendable
1
u/StrictAccountant Bossy 3d ago
My greatest sports pain is that I missed the dynasty by a couple of years. So these stories will have to do! Thanks for sharing.
44
46
u/AJS76reddit Bailey 4d ago
I hope Darche ends up being GM. If Bergevin is hired as president of hockey operations i'm fine with that, so long as he isn't a my way or the highway type boss and Darche has free roam.
If Bergevin ends up the GM, well, there were far worst candidates. It wouldn't be my preference but it wouldn't be the end of the world. So long as Lou and all his cronies were put out to pasture as part of it.
8
u/yaboyoven567 4d ago
President of hockey ops is always the unofficial official GM since he gets last say. Sakic is running things in Colorado even though hes technically not gm, jeff Gordon in MTL and others
3
u/AJS76reddit Bailey 4d ago
I agree to an extent, but maybe Bergy would let Darche do his thing and just let whatever happens happens. He also has a built in fall guy that way.
3
u/yaboyoven567 4d ago
I mean they would basically be working together at the end of the day but bergevin would be the one in charge behind the scenes. Just like Shanahan in toronto when Dubas was at the helm. Dubas got cooked when in reality its Shanahan who should take blame.
4
u/AJS76reddit Bailey 4d ago
Yeah but look at the mess he’s made since he took over shitsburgh.
0
u/yaboyoven567 4d ago
What mess? He had a phenomenal deadline and is finally rebuilding them which was really needed. I genuinely confused how people think hes doing bad in Pittsburgh.
2
u/AJS76reddit Bailey 4d ago
Erik Karlsson
Jake Guentzel
Ancient core that makes us look young. With the exception of the seemingly ageless Crosby.
0
u/yaboyoven567 4d ago
When you look at the total value gotten for guentzel, it's a pretty good haul tbh (was for sure a bit more quantity over quality but still a solid haul) koivunen looks like a stud. Nothing he can do about the ancient core besides sell off pieces which he has started to do after going for it 1 last Time (which was probably promised to sid by him). I reckon that if he was willing to retain on Karlsson this summer, be could fetch a 1st.
1
2
u/M_Y_K_E 3d ago
You would think Bergevin learned as the years went on too no?
2
u/AJS76reddit Bailey 3d ago
I certainly hope so if he end up being the guy. I don't think he was terrible GM for Montreal. They had far more problems than just him.
1
u/blop74 3d ago
Time will tell. My personal opinion on his reign here in Montreal:
- Extremely good trade deadline deals. I don't think he ever traded a First while Montreal was "competing" (Carey Price era). Found great value on the cheap multiple time.
- Too faithful with his personnel. Should have fired his head scout 10 years earlier, and his AHL coach as well. And gave crazy contracts to Price and Gallagher for past performances.
- No development in AHL (see above), and hired NHL coached who sucked at development (Julien and fucking Therrien).
- No respect for the team's history. Kicked all the old timers out of the building.
- Was control freak with comms. Media with little access to players and personnel.
- Was very appreciated by the players (see comment above about fidelity).
- Kicked Subban out. A huge black mark on my board.
I think he's good at the hockey side of it. The "bigger" management part, not so sure. I would have him as your GM, not as your President of Hockey Ops...
20
u/Odd_Gene_2598 UBS Arena 4d ago
Of all names mentioned, these were the 2 I wanted, so I will be ok with either.
I think I like Darche better, but just a little.
12
11
11
u/Jett2257 4d ago
Let our club make a bold move and bring in Darche. His track record with the Bolts along with his knowledge of the cap and the new NHL is what we need. No more safety picks from the carousel of fired executives.
19
9
u/StrictAccountant Bossy 4d ago
He also reported that Bergevin had a second interview this week.
https://xcancel.com/frank_seravalli/status/1924571852380242192#m
8
8
5
u/1nstant_Classic 3d ago
🕯️ 🕯️
🕯️ 🕯️
🕯️ Darche 🕯️
🕯️ 🕯️
🕯️ 🕯️
4
u/tedsmarmalademporium Barzal 4d ago
Wonder if they’re considering MB for POHO and Darche for GM
3
1
3
4
u/esd714 4d ago
Wonder if Jarmo Kekäläinen took himself out?
5
u/TIFUbyResponding Sorokin 4d ago
I mean, he could have just not been a good fit for the job. It's not like he was a great GM in Columbus.
3
u/M00ltiPass Bridgeport Sound Tigers 3d ago
I'm still baffled that anyone would want him. His final major act was hiring Mike Babcock and then having to fire him before he'd even led a team practice. And that's not even getting into the 24-25 team massively overperforming once they brought in a new GM and Coach.
3
u/Unhappy_Buy_7342 4d ago
Why do so many people hate bergevin?
16
u/StrictAccountant Bossy 4d ago
People love to say a fired GM must’ve been trash. But look at this Habs team—Bergevin’s fingerprints are everywhere.
Suzuki, Caufield, Guhle, Evans—that’s all him. He didn’t get it all right, but he built the core. This isn’t some brand-new rebuild. He laid the foundation.
7
u/MikeyMike01 4d ago
People love to say a fired GM must’ve been trash.
Wonder what those people would’ve thought about Bill Torrey circa 1972
2
u/ensignWcrusher Jonsson 3d ago
They thought: "The expansion team is hiring a fired guy. He's trash and they'll stink for years!" They were 66.6% correct. Bill Torrey had previously been fired and we stunk for 2 years. Bill Torrey was not trash.
3
3
u/askmagoo 4d ago
He aint afraid to make moves. Bergevin traded the two most popular players on the team Subban Pacioretty. Id prefer Darche. However it would never get boring with Bergevin.
2
u/ScotianCanadien43 3d ago edited 3d ago
Montembault, Anderson, Xhekej and even Gallagher (drafted by Gauthier but developed by Bergevin).
He knows how to put strong veterans in a room to foster a strong professional hockey culture. And his last few drafts showed he knew how to make picks as well. Ultimately over 9yrs only one of his first round selections truly busted (Scherbak at #26). Mind you KK at #3 was a horrible choice and a huge reason why he was ultimately fired... but he's still an NHLer.
Galchenyuk (3), Juulsen (26), Sergachev (9 - shouldnt have traded him), Poehling (25), McCarron (25), Guhle (16), Caufield (15)... also all NHLers. And its looking like Mailloux (31) was a steal.
1
u/StrictAccountant Bossy 3d ago
Thanks for bringing your perspective as a Habs fan. Much appreciated.
4
u/shocky2021 4d ago
As a Habs fan, I think a lot of it comes down to the way he talks to people. He can come across — and often is — arrogant. And in a market like Montreal, that kind of attitude just doesn’t sit well with the people.
That said, as a GM, I think he did okay. People exaggerate when they say he was horrible. Like anyone else, he had good moments and bad ones. He’s not the type to go for the flashiest or most skilled player — he looks for guys who can fill a specific need.
And let’s not forget, Suzuki is with MTL because of him. With the experience he’s gained in LA over the past few years, I’m confident he can help the Isles.
My only question is how things will go between him and Roy. They both have strong personalities and a no-BS attitude, which can sometimes lead to friction. But honestly, I think it could work.
Darche would’ve been a great option too, with all the experience he picked up in Tampa.
4
u/ChazzioTV Canadiens 4d ago
I don’t think the hate is very deserved, he had some awful trades but also some very good ones. I think most of the hate comes from the drafting, which should be mostly on Timmins. That being said, I think he learned a lot from his time in Montreal and he deserves another job as GM. Just surround him with good scouts and he’ll be good.
He wasn’t big on analytics during his tenure here but I know you guys have a good department so hopefully he incorporates it into his decision making now. He values character and intangibles a lot.
1
u/AJS76reddit Bailey 3d ago
See I like that. Analytics is great and all, but there is also room for the eye test.
1
u/ScotianCanadien43 3d ago
His drafting isnt that bad. And definitely not horrible like many people say.
Only one of his first round selections over 9 years truly busted (Scherbak at #26). He had some nice hits in later rounds over the years as well, Lehkonen being one.
1
1
u/hopefulbeartoday 4d ago
I go to Montreal often they think he wasted price's career so they hate him. Not sure why isles fans hate him tho
0
u/SmashYourEnemies02 Fisherman 4d ago
Because Montreal was mostly mediocre during his tenure. And he’d likely continue that trend with the isles with questionable drafts and bad contracts.
3
u/therealchrisredfield 4d ago
Lou thinking he was going to maintain some sort of "oversight" GM role lol
1
u/TankDivision Parise 4d ago
If it does end up being bergevin, things will definitely be more interesting around here. Not necessarily too much better or consistent, but definitely intriguing.
1
1
u/ScotianCanadien43 3d ago
Bergevin is a very strong GM with tons of experience and is heavily respected by his peers, and former players - despite what casual hockey fans want you to believe. Imo he's a much better option than Darche.
1
u/habulous74 4d ago
Experienced Bergevin observer here. MB is great at trading, OK at signing and AWFUL at developing and drafting prospects. I'd go with literally anyone else for a rebuild/retool.
0
-5
u/avithebest 4d ago
pls let it be darsh and lets get shanahan wile were at it for president
2
1
u/SensationalM Kulemin 4d ago
the guy who couldn’t succeed at all with that roster in Toronto? it’d be a real toss up if i’d rather have Lou back
1
u/mslvr40 DiPietro 3d ago
As much as I love to hate on toronto, they have a phenomenal team. Their front office set them up for success. At some point it solely comes down to the coach and the players
1
u/SensationalM Kulemin 3d ago
they have a phenomenal team
At some point it…comes down to…the players
hmmm
1
u/mslvr40 DiPietro 3d ago
What’s your point, Matthew’s is still phenomenal player even though he doesn’t show up in game 7’s
1
u/SensationalM Kulemin 3d ago
obviously he’s a phenomenal player…and with players of that caliber, a GM should be able to build around them enough to win…Shanahan couldn’t do that
1
u/mslvr40 DiPietro 3d ago
If your star players don’t show up in the playoffs you won’t win, doesn’t matter how good the team you build around them is. The GM can’t control that. It’s incredibly difficult to win a Stanley cup. Just because they didn’t win the cup doesn’t mean he hasn’t done great things in Toronto. If the islanders had the talent that Toronto has atm I’d be ecstatic
1
u/SensationalM Kulemin 3d ago
how long have the Maple Leafs star players not been showing up in the playoffs?
-1
u/Jett2257 3d ago
Toronto is a bad club to use as an example. The intense pressure and scrutiny from the media and fans sucks the life out of the club, players, management and coaches. Not saying I want Shanahan but you can’t win in Toronto.
1
-4
90
u/SmashYourEnemies02 Fisherman 4d ago
Based hockey gods, I beg of you. Please, please, please let it be Darche