Islanders Unwilling to Trade Top Prospects for Blues' Jordan Kyrou

New York GM Mathieu Darche holds firm on keeping key young players despite playoff push

Published on Mar. 6, 2026

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The New York Islanders are reluctant to trade top prospects Kashawn Aitcheson and Victor Eklund in a potential deal for St. Louis Blues forward Jordan Kyrou ahead of the NHL trade deadline. New Islanders GM Mathieu Darche is unwilling to part with the two young players, who are viewed as important pieces of the organization's future, even as the Islanders fight for a playoff spot in the Metropolitan Division.

Why it matters

The Islanders' unwillingness to trade their top prospects for an established star like Kyrou highlights the team's long-term focus under Darche, despite their current playoff position. It suggests the new GM is prioritizing building through the draft and developing young talent over making a short-term push for the postseason.

The details

According to reports, the Blues are demanding Aitcheson, the Islanders' 2025 first-round pick, in exchange for Kyrou. However, Darche has made it clear that Aitcheson and fellow 2025 first-rounder Eklund are off the table. The Islanders have the assets to potentially acquire Kyrou or Blues center Robert Thomas, but Darche is unwilling to part with his top young prospects as the team looks to the future.

  • The NHL trade deadline is Friday, March 6, 2026 at 3 p.m. ET.

The players

Mathieu Darche

The new general manager of the New York Islanders, who is taking a long-term approach to building the team's roster.

Jordan Kyrou

A skilled forward for the St. Louis Blues who is reportedly available ahead of the trade deadline.

Kashawn Aitcheson

A top prospect in the Islanders' system, drafted 17th overall in 2025, who the team is unwilling to trade.

Victor Eklund

Another highly regarded Islanders prospect, drafted 16th overall in 2025, who the team views as an important part of their future.

Doug Armstrong

The general manager of the St. Louis Blues, who is driving a hard bargain on Kyrou and other top players as the team enters a rebuild.

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What they’re saying

“If the [Blues] insist on D prospect Kashawn Aitcheson (2025, No. 17) in a potential Jordan Kyrou deal, I'm told that likely takes the [Isles] out of the mix.”

— Stefen Rosner, Hockey News reporter (The Hockey News)

“The sense I'm getting is that #Isles prospect Victor Eklund (2025, No. 16) is viewed as a very important piece of the organization moving forward. Would likely take a legitimate star-type return for NYI to even consider moving him — not a Jordan Kyrou.”

— Stefen Rosner, Hockey News reporter (The Hockey News)

What’s next

The NHL trade deadline is on Friday, March 6, 2026 at 3 p.m. ET, so it remains to be seen if the Islanders will make any moves before then or if they will hold firm on not trading their top prospects.

The takeaway

The Islanders' unwillingness to part with their top young prospects like Kashawn Aitcheson and Victor Eklund, even in a potential deal for a talented player like Jordan Kyrou, shows that new GM Mathieu Darche is prioritizing long-term team building over short-term playoff pushes. This approach may disappoint some Islanders fans hoping for a big trade deadline splash, but it suggests Darche has a clear vision for sustained success in the years to come.