Quick Fix: The Bitter End

About this episode

Joe Buono and Chris Botta discuss the disappointing end to the Islanders' season and the implications for the team's future.

It’s a Quick Fix featuring Joe Buono (@IslesFix) and former VP of Communications for the Islanders, Chris Botta (@ChrisBottaNHL). In this episode, Joe and Chris react to “Clean Out Day” interviews with players and GM Mathieu Darche following the bitterly disappointing end to the Islanders’ 2025-26 season. We dig into Darche’s comments defending his in-season trades, which he says helped the team but didn’t lead to team success. Based on his comments, the big changes some expect may not come with a roster that has few spots open, and several contracts that will be hard to move. Later, we discuss the treatment of Anders Lee this season, and the type of deal Darche may make to have the captain return and play his 1,000th game in an Islanders uniform. Plus, Barzal and Ritchie say they’re centers, Bridgeport loads up for the post-season, and reasons to be optimistic about next season. Get full access to Isles Fix at islesfix.substack.com/subscribe

People in this episode

Host: Joe Buono

Guest: Chris Botta

Topics covered

• New York Islanders
• season recap
• player contracts
• team management
• future prospects

Keywords

• Isles Fix
• Clean Out Day
• Mathieu Darche
• Anders Lee
• NHL trades
• 2025-26 season
• New York Islanders

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: New York Islanders

Places: Bridgeport

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• Quick Fix: Trusting His Gut · March 10, 2026 · 56 min
• Quick Fix: Enjoy The Ride · March 4, 2026 · 46 min
• Quick Fix: Where Things Stand · February 2, 2026 · 49 min
• Quick Fix: If You Build It, Will they Come? · December 18, 2025 · 1h 6m