The guys are back to talk New York Islanders as the NHL off-season keeps on flowing. Thomas Hickey of MSG Network joins the show!
2:27 – Experience Points! presented by Main Street Board Game Café
The guys start the segment by chatting about Matthieu Darche’s first off-season as the Islanders’ new general manager hired on May 23rd, 2025.
4:56 – It’s a new era on Long Island. Stefen elaborates on the culture that Darche is implementing and how his recent moves are contributing to a more consistent identity for the Islanders’ roster and play style.
8:34 – Sean talks about the newfound optimism in Islanders country after a pretty successful start to the Mathieu Darche era because of the fresh new vision and perspective being implemented.
10:41 – Stefen bestows 10,000 XP to Darche for filling the necessary gaps on the roster, retaining the players he believed would contribute to the Islanders’ timeline, and providing a level of transparency to the fanbase.
11:21 – Sean awards 22,462 XP to Darche for an outstanding start to his first year as the Islanders’ GM.
Stefen talks about the transparency Darche has brought to the Islanders
16:37 – On The Line: Thomas Hickey, MSG Network presented by Tovi Hockey
Thomas Hickey joins the fellas to talk about the state of the New York Islanders midway through the NHL offseason.
14:58 – Sean begins the segment by asking Thomas what he personally thinks about Darche’s first offseason with the Islanders and how he would assess it overall.
16:33 – Stefen asks Thomas about his first impressions of the Islanders’ first overall pick in this year’s draft, Matthew Schaefer.
17:40 – Stefen elaborates on his question and asks Thomas what he thinks is the best route for Matthew Schaefer’s development.
19:09 – Sean pivots to the Islanders draft party and asks Thomas what he thought about the vibe the fans brought to UBS Arena.
20:26 – Stefen asks about Thomas’ experience as a former prospect and what it means for younger players to get to interact with the Islanders fanbase right out of the gate.
21:32 – Sean shifts to the Islanders coaching staff and how the new additions of two new assistant coaches could contribute to the team, especially improving the dismal special teams from last year.
23:50 – Stefen asks Thomas what he thinks needs to improve on the Islanders’ power play and its missing elements besides putting the puck in the back of the net.
25:19 – Sean inquires about Thomas’ opinion regarding Alexander Romanov’s 8-year extension and what that means for the New York Islanders going forward.
28:04 – Stefen asks Thomas about the importance of having “stay-at-home guys” like Adam Pelech, Ryan Pulock, and Scott Mayfield in a league that is getting progressively faster and more dynamic.
29:55 – Sean circles back to Mathieu Darche and asks Thomas what he thinks, as a former player, about Darche supposedly “honoring” Kyle Palmieri and Adam Boqvist’s extensions that were rumored to have been in place before Lou Lamoriello departed.
32:26 – Stefen brings up Matthew Barzal and asks Thomas what he thinks about how Barzal will reassume his role as a center on next year’s edition of the Islanders’ lineup.
34:11 – Sean asks Thomas about the Islanders’ roster construction and the competition that will occur during the upcoming training camp before the start of the season.
37:24 – Stefen inquires about Simon Holmstrom and asks Thomas his opinion on whether the young forward is ready to be regarded as a top-six forward.
39:15 – Sean asks Thomas about Matt Martin’s retirement and his elevation to the special advisor to the general manager.
Thomas Hickey likes Emil Heineman’s game
“Is it a coaching thing or a player thing and we are going to find out this year. The easiest thing for me to say it was both last year.”
–Hickey on the Islanders power play struggles
40:48 – Stefen follows up by asking Thomas what he thought about Cal Clutterbuck’s recent performance in the promotional skit for the Islanders’ unveiling of their schedule.
41:23 – Stefen concludes his questions by presenting Thomas with a question from his new fiancé about Thomas’ hair maintenance.
41:57 – Sean finishes the segment by asking Thomas Hickey about the newly adopted collective bargaining agreement (CBA) and how this will affect the future of the league.
46:29 – What’s on Tap? presented by Centre Station Bar & Grill
Sean kicks off the segment by talking about this year’s first overall pick Matthew Schaefer and what it means for the Islanders’ future down the line.
50:20 – Stefen elaborates on Schaefer’s talent, his potential, as well as his character and how this will contribute to his overall trajectory to potentially making the Islanders’ roster out of training camp.
51:40 – Sean concurs and adds that there is no rush for Schaefer to make the Islanders’ roster, especially with Darche’s current timeline for competing.
53:33 – Stefen agrees with Sean and shifts the conversation to the other two first-round picks from this year’s draft, Victor Eklund and Kashawn Aitcheson.
55:25 – Sean adds that this year’s draft exemplifies the type of blueprint that Darche is attempting to implement, “high compete, high talent, and high character,” which prompts Stefen to bring up Danill Prokhorov, who was drafted in the second round by the Islanders.
56:58 – Stefen brings up the Islanders’ third-round pick Luca Romano, who he thinks might have the best edge work he has seen since Mat Barzal.
57:31 – Sean and Stefen discuss the rest of the Islanders’ draft class and how they contribute to the tapestry that Mathieu Darche has created to restock the Islanders’ prospect cupboard.
1:01:16 – Sean asks Stefen if he thinks that Calum Ritchie will have a spot on the Islanders’ upcoming lineup due to the depth that was added during free agency.
Sean raves about Matthew Schaefer
1:06:34 – Welcome to the Snake Den! With Jake “The Snake” Radonis
Jake offers his take on the Islanders’ moves during the off-season, but mainly on how it’s improved the Islanders’ AHL affiliate and what it means for the franchise in the long term. He mentions the rumored move from Bridgeport, CT to Hamilton, Ontario, as well as how the new additions provide more depth in both the AHL and the NHL if injuries were to affect the lineup.
1:12:14 – Questions Brewin’
1:13:09 – “Hey Sean, what do you expect from Horvat and Barzal given that the plan is to split them up? How big of an impact will that have on their numbers?’
1:15:51 – “CONGRATULATIONS Stef. My question is. If the injuries continue with Barzal do you see Darche moving on from him?”
1:16:55 – “Do we have an organizational opinion or expectations for Maxim Shabanov? Patrick Darche overall feel. We need Holmstrom, Tsyplakov, Drouin to score extremely well.”
1:18:24 – “What is to become of Varly this year?”
1:19:47 – Two questions please. Any word on the hearing coming up & if a deal is near? Also concerned that 48 should be sent back for 1 more year to let him get better since the Isles will not win the cup yet.”
1:21:03 – “Has Roy talked to Duclair yet, and shouldn’t he have cleared the air with him before start of development camp? 3 months is a long time to have left that comment hanging.”
1:22:02 – “Does anyone have any clue what an Olympic send off actually means? A game? Skills competition? Player talent show?”
1:23:35 – “I know this is tough currently to project, but where do you think the Isles finish in the standings?”
1:25:51 – “Do you think for long term, the Isles would be better off having another down year?”
Catch the latest episode of HNiNY featuring former Islander and current MSG Studio Analyst Thomas Hickey
1:29:19 – Bobby Marsala Fundraiser
Stefen takes sometime to talk about Bobby Marsala, a member of the New York Islanders’ family, who is in the biggest fight of his life with cancer. Any donations would be crucial to his ongoing fight and are greatly appreciated.
Hockey Night in New York is your go-to spot for New York Islanders coverage! Join hosts Sean Cuthbert and Stefen Rosner live from Floored Media in Rockville Centre Sundays at 8PM ET at YouTube and Twitter all season long!