WM8125

Yeah, Darche has made mistakes. I was critical of some when announced, and a few were not minor miscalculations. Think Darche doesn’t realize this now? He’s also done good work behind the scenes for the #Isles. I’m told by countless people who’d know that the players and front office staff greatly respect him. Importantly, he elevated the development pathway after the Lamacalamity in Bridgeport. The problem for the Darche Sucks Brigade is that we know Malkin and Ledecky are giving the GM all the resources needed for cleanups on Aisle Mathieu and to build a contender. For one example, Darche will use a buyout if needed. For another, big money was just dropped on an upgrade to a more experienced, accomplished and, yes, analytical head coach. These are not the Walsh-Millstein-Imprisoned Owners-Wang Islanders. They operate like the best NHL franchises do. So have at it, members of the DSB. Obsessively point out Darche’s rookie year fumbles. But you’re gonna have to break out new graphs and material eleven months from now when Pete DeBoer’s New York Islanders are at least 18 games over NHL .500 and comfortably in a playoff spot.

As @JayBilas correctly points out, there’s a lot of hypocrisy in college athletics right now. It’s only when athletes begin to get paid that it’s necessary to have a federal law to “save college sports.”