Mathieu Darche
Mathieu Darche played 250 games in the NHL over nine seasons with five different teams. He received his first managerial job in the NHL in May 2019 as the Director of Hockey Operations for the Tampa Bay Lightning. He was part of the managerial team that helped the Tampa Bay Lightning win the Stanley Cup in 2021.
The Tampa Bay Lightning went to the Stanley Cup final three seasons in a row and won back-to-back Stanley Cups in 2020 and 2021. That kind of experience is a valuable asset to bring to a new team, especially a team in desperate need of finding playoff success.
While working with the Lightning, Darche has had a very hands-on relationship with general manager Julian BriseBois. He advises on all player personnel and contract decisions and is in charge of navigating the NHL salary cap.
Darche did not have a hand in helping the NHL create the salary cap like Pridham did, but he’s just as good at manipulating it. Cap management is an important asset in today’s NHL.
Darche is reportedly a candidate for the vacant GM job in Pittsburgh, but I’m sure he’d like to see if the Toronto Maple Leafs call for an interview in the coming days. He’s demonstrated an ability to negotiate fair contracts and is not afraid to cut ties with a player when the timing is right to move on.