TAMPA — It had been several years since Mathieu Darche first emerged as a candidate to become an NHL general manager. As the Lightning’s assistant GM, he had been Julien BriseBois’ right-hand man in leading the team’s hockey operations department.

Darche won two Stanley Cups in Tampa Bay front office, negotiated CBA with NHLPA in 2013 and managed customs brokerage prior to signing with Islanders

Mathieu Darche is expected to be named the new general manager of the New York Islanders on Friday, a source confirmed to Newsday. Darche will fill one of the open positions after Islanders president and general manager Lou Lamoriello did not have his contract renewed after this past season.