TAMPA — Mathieu Darche was clear in pointing out that his return to Tampa was not the same as a player or coach facing a former team.

Darche couldn’t influence Saturday’s game between the Islanders and Lightning after the puck dropped, and he can walk around town without being recognized.

Still, there was an element Saturday of the prodigal son returning.

Islanders general manager Mathieu Darche NHLI via Getty Images

Darche was an assistant general manager to Julien BriseBois for six seasons, helping the Lightning as they won the Stanley Cup in 2020 and 2021, before getting a chance to sit in the big chair this summer with the Islanders .

“I had six great years here,” Darche said. “The staff, the coaches, the management — it’s a Saturday morning, so not many people are here, but

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