In a bit of a shocking move, the Islanders have reportedly come to terms with former Devils and Maple Leafs general manager Lou Lamoriello.
According to a report by The Athletic and mentioned in an article in the New York Post by Ethan Sears, Lamoriello has already “met with John Tavares last week in anticipation of his unrestricted free agency.”
Lamoriello’s contract as GM of the Leafs was up after this season and he was set to take over as a senior adviser. Kyle Dubas was hired as Toronto’s new GM in April.
What role Lou will take with the Isles is unclear, he will either be named president of hockey operations, GM or both according to a source close to The Post’s Brett Cyrgalis. This was reported in the Sears Post article.
Sears mentions that Lamoriello “will replace Garth Snow at the top of the Islanders’ hierarchy” and that “(w)here that leaves Snow is unclear.”
How this directly affects the Devils would be in potentially being a landing spot for Tavares. Should Tavares go to free agency and should he want to stay in the New York Metropolitan area, the Devils would certainly be an attractive landing spot for him.
Now, with Lou coming on and with his reputation, Tavares might be less likely to get to free agency and re-sign with New York. Add to that their new arena coming in the next few years and the Islanders are heading in a good direction.
Hopefully Lamoriello can help in reestablishing a winning culture on the Island. To be honest, the Islanders have been dormant for too long and having a rivalry between the Devils and Isles would only benefit hockey in the Metropolitan area and the NHL in general.
Of course, Lou will always be remembered as the architect of the Devils’ three Stanley Cup winning teams in 1995, 2000 and 2003. He also helped revitalize the Maple Leafs in only two years, showing that he still definitely has what it takes to run a professional hockey team. Lou would also be reunited with his son Chris who works in the Islanders’ front office and previously worked with his dad here in New Jersey.
According to The Post article, Lamoriello’s position with “the Islanders is expected to be announced in the coming days.”