Darcy Regier, unable to agree with general manager-coach Mike Milbury over the direction the New York Islanders are taking, is out as the team's assistant GM.
Regier, who had been handling most of the administrative work for Milbury, was fired Thursday."Darcy is in the final year of a contract, and I thought it was best to give him ample time to pursue other opportunities while he is still being compensated," Milbury said before heading off to Switzerland to scout the World Juniors Tournament. "He has been a valued employee of this organization. However, we were unable to fully agree on an organizational philosophy."
Regier is a former Salt Lake Golden Eagle player who worked closely with both the Eagles in their last years in Utah and with Grizzlies the past three years during their affiliation as the Islanders' farm team.
Regier was not quite sure why he was relieved of his duties.
"I have no idea," he said. "I was read the press release, and one of the things mentioned was philosophical differences. There's no question that there were some philosophical differences."
Regier came in under former GM Don Maloney in 1992 in the same assistant's role. When Maloney was fired on Dec. 2, 1995, Regier and Milbury were the only two candidates considered for the job.
"Without being specific about it, I don't think we've ever been comfortable with our relationship," Milbury said. "We tried to fight our way through it, but we could never get on a level surface."
Regier claimed that all the discomfort was Milbury's.
"I can honestly tell you that I got over that (situation) very quickly," Regier said. "In fairness to Mike, he didn't select me and I didn't select him."
Regier was mostly involved in player contract negotiations and securing the farm system. He also implemented a computerized network for his scouts that improved reports and overall communication.
"There were some differences, but I don't want to talk about them publicly," Regier said. "My belief is that you fight internally, unite externally."