Islanders GM Search Facing A Series of Notable Roadblocks
The process of finding a new general manager for the New York Islanders is 'not moving fluidly' according to Arthur Staple in The Athletic. He tells us that the team's top two preferred candidates to fill Lou Lamoriello's old role are pretty much off the table now for the Isles.
Ken Holland has turned down the Islanders
Ken Holland, who was one of their top choices, is talking to the LA Kings about filling the GM job out West. "The Islanders likely would have given Holland the dual title that Lamoriello holds (held), but Holland might prefer to stay on the West Coast, closer to family," writes Staple.
In fact, according to a report Monday night from Elliotte Friedman, "all indications are that the LA Kings are closing in on Ken Holland as their next GM."
Jeff Gorton, currently the executive vice president of hockey operations for the Montreal Canadiens, was a candidate that the Islanders had "keen interest" in, but he is also out of the mix. Not interested in leaving Montreal. Staple believes that he would have even been the Islanders' top choice over Holland if they had been able to convince him to head south of the border.
Islanders have 3 interviews lined up for GM vacancy
On the bright side, the Isles do have three interviews lined up this week with the next batch of GM candidates.
Further to the update from colleague @StapeAthletic, my understanding is the Islanders plan to interview Marc Bergevin, Jarmo Kekalainen and Mathieu Darche this week as part of their GM search.
— Pierre LeBrun (@PierreVLeBrun) May 12, 2025
As reported by Staple and Pierre LeBrun, Marc Bergevin, Jarmo Kekalainen, and Mathieu Darche will all meet with the Islanders this week.
Currently a senior advisor with the Kings, Bergevin was the GM in Montreal from 2012 to 2021. If Holland somehow doesn't get the LA gig, it's expected that Bergevin will be top of the list for the Kings, leaving another candidate off the table for the Islanders.
Meanwhile, Lamoriello won't be out of sight, out of mind on Long Island by any means. He's expected to stay on as an advisor to principal owner Scott Malkin. And this, too, seems to have thrown a wrench into the Islanders' interviewing process for a new GM.
A rival assistant GM told Staple, “That’s Lou’s team. It’s going to be tough to make it your own with him still there.”
The Islanders front office drama continues.
Photo: © Tom Szczerbowski-Imagn Images
