LOS ANGELES – Co-owner Jon Ledecky, giving praise to the work new general manager Mathieu Darche has done in his one month on the job, believes “the future is now,” for the Islanders. He said it was at least a new motto for the organization.

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

The No. 1 selection carries immense consequences, but it is at least a relatively straightforward decision. The same cannot be said for the other dilemmas facing Mathieu Darche this week.