In what isn't the most surprising move, the New York Islanders have moved on from president and general manager Lou Lamoriello. In a statement, they said they decided against renewing his contract with the organization. The former New Jersey Devils general manager who is largely responsible for the team's three Stanley Cup championships is without a job in hockey.
The Islanders statement goes on to say:
"The Islanders extend a heartfelt thank you to Lou Lamoriello for his extraordinary commitment over the past seven years. His dedication to the team is in line with his Hall of Fame career."New York Islanders PR
Lamoriello started his hockey career back in 1968 when he chose hockey over baseball and became the head coach of the Providence Friars. He was there for almost 20 years, eventually building his resume as the head of the Hockey East conference.
In 1987, Lamoriello entered the NHL as a surprise pick as the Devils new general manager. He replaced Max McNab, who was unable to get the Devils to the playoffs in his four years as the head of the front office. Lamoriello immediately got results, seeing the Devils make the playoffs for the first time in 1988.
He eventually brought the Devils three Stanley Cups, dozens of playoff appearances, Hall of Famers, and more head coaches than we can count. However, under new ownership, Ray Shero joined the organization, and Lamoriello decided to move on.
Lamoriello would be the GM for the Toronto Maple Leafs and most recently for the New York Islanders. He has been the head on The Island for six seasons. He's been unconventional during that time, finding ways to prioritize a certain type of player that may be devalued across the league. Some times it worked, like when he made a run to the Eastern Conference Finals two years in a row. However, more recently, it's failed.
Lou Lamoriello is a Hall of Famer, but the end showed the sport passed him by
Lamoriello is 82 years old. It's hard to think he will get another chance to run an organization. He will probably be hired to be a special advisor somewhere, and he could even return to the Devils' organization in some role. He won't have any say, but it will be more of a celebratory role that just keeps him involved in his twilight years.
Devils fans owe Lamoriello for decades of competitive hockey. He made shrewd moves that other teams wouldn't dare to make. He traded back in the draft and still got his goalie in Martin Brodeur. He fought for Scott Stevens when the St. Louis Blues tried to break the rules for Brenden Shanahan. The league may not always like his tactics, but in a world before the internet, Lamoriello was the catalyst for running a sports organization, and we will never forget what he meant to hockey in New Jersey.