2016-2017 New York Islanders

Sources say that Malkin and Ledecky are not close to naming anyone to what would be a team president role — one of the two titles currently held by Garth Snow, who has been president and general manager since the summer of 2006. A team spokesman flatly denied that there is any search underway for a new team president.

But a league source indicated that pretty much since July 1, when Malkin and Ledecky took over the majority ownership role from Charles Wang, the new owners have been on the hunt for someone to step into the executive suite to either work with Snow or make front-office changes.“They’re looking for a big name,” the source said. “They’ve talked to a lot of people already.”

Two of the bigger names that the owners have sat down with in the past few months are well known to Islanders and Rangers fans: Pat LaFontaine and Brad Richards.

LaFontaine served briefly in an executive role for the Islanders as senior adviser for 40 days in 2006, hired along with Neil Smith and then departing the organization the same day Smith was let go before Snow was hired. LaFontaine also served briefly as president of hockey operations for the Sabres, spending less than four months there before rejoining the NHL as a vice president of hockey development.

Richards retired after last season after a 16-year career with five teams, including the Rangers, and winning two Stanley Cups. He recently spent time with Ledecky at an Islanders game at Barclays Center after Don Meehan, the head of Newport Sports agency and Richards’ longtime agent, suggested to Ledecky that the two meet.

Malkin also has spent time with Pat Brisson, head of Creative Artists Agency (CAA), who also is John Tavares’ agent. Brisson was mentioned as a candidate for the Penguins GM job two years ago.