New York Islanders general manager Mathieu Darche remains steadfast in his assessment of the June 2025 blockbuster trade that sent defenseman Noah Dobson to the Montreal Canadiens.
Over a year removed from the deal, Darche maintains the transaction—which netted Emil Heineman, Victor Eklund, and Kashawn Aitcheson—remains a necessary, win-win evolution for both franchises.
Fantasy Targets Include Victor Eklund and Emil Heineman
- Victor Eklund: His emergence as a top-six fixture alongside Brayden Schenn makes him an immediate waiver-wire target in deep fantasy leagues; monitor his role as injured players return.
- Emil Heineman: After a 20-goal season, his modest start to the current campaign suggests a “buy-low” opportunity if his production improves.
Strategic Calculus Behind the Dobson Departure
The trade was finalized on June 27, 2025, just weeks after Darche assumed the Islanders’ general manager role. At the time, the organization faced a fiscal and structural impasse regarding Dobson, who had previously posted a 70-point season.
“The best trades are when it’s win-win for both teams,” Darche said following a meeting of NHL general managers this past Tuesday. “The Canadiens are happy. Noah played really well for them last year. They made it to the conference final and they needed that. For me, I had [Matthew] Schaefer coming, and we didn’t agree on a contract [with Dobson].”
By moving Dobson, Darche secured the draft capital to select Matthew Schaefer first overall, while also acquiring Heineman and additional assets to restock a depleted prospect pool.
Victor Eklund Rises While Emil Heineman Struggles
Emil Heineman, the only established player in the return package, successfully transitioned into a 20-goal scorer last year. However, the 24-year-old forward has struggled for consistency early this season, recording only two goals in his first 17 appearances.
Conversely, Victor Eklund has been the organization’s breakout success story. The 16th overall pick in the 2025 draft was initially slated for extended development in the American Hockey League (AHL). Injuries to key Islanders, including Mathew Barzal, Cal Ritchie, and Matias Maccelli, necessitated an early call-up. Eklund has seized the opportunity, currently riding a three-game goal streak.
“He’s a kid who doesn’t know he’s small. He goes into traffic, he scores his goals in front of the net. He goes against guys who are 6-foot-5 in the corner and he arrives first. He has no fear. Our players love him,” Darche noted regarding Eklund’s physicality.
Developing the Next Wave at Hamilton
While Eklund thrives, blue-chip prospect Kashawn Aitcheson is adjusting to professional hockey with the Hamilton Hammers. Despite his pedigree as the top offensive defenseman in the Ontario Hockey League last season, Aitcheson has recorded only four assists in his first 16 AHL games.
Darche is preaching patience, drawing a direct comparison to the learning curve Noah Dobson faced during his own junior-to-pro transition. “Noah, in his last year of junior, he played 35 to 40 minutes per game. You pick up bad habits, you learn to manage yourself,” Darche explained.
“Kashawn, it was the same thing at Barrie. We don’t expect him to have a point per game. What’s going to get him to the top is defending properly, being physical, and moving the puck.”
| Player | Status | 2026-27 Role |
|---|---|---|
| Emil Heineman | Top-Six Forward | Secondary Scorer |
| Victor Eklund | Top-Six Forward | Rising Prospect |
| Kashawn Aitcheson | AHL Development | Defensive Prospect |
Managing the Infirmary
A wave of injuries is testing the Islanders' depth. While the return of Matias Maccelli and Ryan Pulock to the lineup ahead of the recent fixture against the Los Angeles Kings provides a tactical boost, the absence of Alexander Romanov for the remainder of the year remains a critical blow to the defensive unit’s transition game.
Mathew Barzal, who has missed the start of the season, traveled with the team to California, though expectations for his immediate return remain tempered. Darche indicated that a return for the home stand on the East Coast is a more realistic timeline.
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