While Darche is not saying it, the growing consensus is the Islanders are expected to select defenseman Matthew Schaefer on Friday night.

Mathieu Darche, remaining adamant he will keep the No. 1 pick in the NHL Draft, knows he’ll be selecting a “special player,” to join the Islanders on Friday night. The recently hired general manager and executive vice president also is still hoping restricted free agent defenseman Noah Dobson,

Mathieu Darche’s phone keeps ringing as he prepares for his first NHL Draft as general manager of the New York Islanders, and he’s sure of only one thing: They are not trading the No. 1 pick. Beyond that,