New York Islanders: Lamoriello Contract Not Renewed; John Collins Searching for Next GM

[PK Cronin]

Pierre McGuire for GM or I'm out

Why'd you have to do that?

 

[BMOK33]

I remember many of us in November thinking Roy was gonna be fired based on some statements by him in his press conferences. I was surprised neither he or Lou were gone, it all got quiet soon after.

 

[doublechili]

My dream management team would be Roy as GM and Mike Sullivan as coach. Both have had excellent results throughout their careers in those positions and both of them are still in their 50’s so their mindsets are not stuck in the 1980s.

I like Roy, but you know that look he has on the bench when they're losing, kind of like "I'm so frustrated and I have no idea what to do about it"? That's not great with a coach, and even worse with a GM. And what are his qualifications for a very complicated executive position like NHL GM? Pass.

 

[MJF]

Yea my car doesn't even have AM. Which was annoying when looking for mets games. So i assume they will be switching to some streaming situation.

I suppose via the NHL app.

 

[MJF]

I remember many of us in November thinking Roy was gonna be fired based on some statements by him in his press conferences. I was surprised neither he or Lou were gone, it all got quiet soon after.

According to Friedman’s last “32 Thoughts” there was a bigger rift between John Collins and Lou. Collins wanted to fire Lou in December.

Lou and Collins didn’t see eye to eye.
Lou and Roy didn’t see eye to eye.
Lou and Trotz didn’t see eye to eye.

 

[Zeeker]

Lou and Collins didn’t see eye to eye.
Lou and Roy didn’t see eye to eye.
Lou and Trotz didn’t see eye to eye.

Let’s not height-shame Lou - he’s a Short King

 

[seafoam]

Starting to feel like John Collins is running the show and will name himself President of Hockey Operations and oversee all hockey decisions

That’s not his role, he’s a businessman.

 

[seafoam]

My dream management team would be Roy as GM and Mike Sullivan as coach. Both have had excellent results throughout their careers in those positions and both of them are still in their 50’s so their mindsets are not stuck in the 1980s.

Reading this gave me dain bramage.

 

[Throttle]

I like Roy, but you know that look he has on the bench when they're losing, kind of like "I'm so frustrated and I have no idea what to do about it"? That's not great with a coach, and even worse with a GM. And what are his qualifications for a very complicated executive position like NHL GM? Pass.

And this whole ‘I signed with the Isles bc of Roy’ Duclair thing is a big question mark.

The more that comes out, wonder if Roy’s remarks weren’t more calculated to throw Duclair under the bus and put the blame squarely on his play, ie you didn’t live up to your end of the bargain. This is on you, not me.

Allegedly Lou may have already been fired at that point. Roy was protecting himself in the league since it was all out there that Duclair signed bc of Roy.

 

[doublechili]

He’s a big deal in NHL circles. He’s been waiting for Lou to hang himself.

Yeah, Collins is a big deal for sure. He was the Chief Operating Officer of the NHL for 7 years. This article from when he stepped down from his NHL position gives a good overview (can't link the page with the article - it changes to a media file when posting).

"Perhaps more than many others, Collins has his fingerprints all over the success the NHL has enjoyed the last eight seasons — lockouts included — since his appointment to COO in 2008. From outdoor games to HBO’s 24/7 TV series to the Rogers and NBC television rights deals, Collins is a big-brain the league office will surely miss. “I can’t think of anyone who’s been more influential on the league in the last few years – the way he’s driven the league to think big picture,” said Sportsnet’s Chris Johnston on Prime Time Sports Tuesday."

 

[SI90]

That’s not his role, he’s a businessman.

But the more we’re learning the more it seems he’s behind these decisions and has strong influence with Malkin

 

[Rehabguy]

I like Roy, but you know that look he has on the bench when they're losing, kind of like "I'm so frustrated and I have no idea what to do about it"? That's not great with a coach, and even worse with a GM. And what are his qualifications for a very complicated executive position like NHL GM? Pass.

That's not the vibe I got. It was more like, "I gotta stand behind this bench with this roster?"

 

[Islanders4Cups]

Since Lou’s firing was already being considered back in December then I expect the plan is in motion and further along now.

I also hope Collins knows what the hell he is doing.

 

[doublechili]

That's not the vibe I got. It was more like, "I gotta stand behind this bench with this roster?"

Yeah, I guess that could be it too. But I stand by needing a qualified executive. I don't see where there's any demonstrated executive qualifications with Roy.

 

[doublechili]

I just posted that the new GM will need to be qualified for a complicated executive position. However, I also think/hope that they will build an executive TEAM. A big problem with Lou is that he had too much power/responsibility. I posted the FLA executive team yesterday - they have a huge team of people with specialized knowledge, plus a few special advisors to the GM.

So, I think a qualification that will be important to a marketing guy like Collins is to have a GM who is media-friendly/savvy. The guy from DAL (White) is a player personnel/scouting guy. I'm sure he's great at his specific job, but does he have the ability to be the face of the franchise and also competently run a team of advisors, scouts, etc. to make good managerial decisions? I am suspicious of hiring a total newbie like Hickey on the one hand. However, he's incredibly well-spoken and would fit the media-friendly part to a T. Surround him with a team of experts below him (for scouting, analytics, etc.) and a veteran person above him as President, and give him a special advisor or two, and maybe he'd be great.

 

[Rehabguy]

Yeah, I guess that could be it too. But I stand by needing a qualified executive. I don't see where there's any demonstrated executive qualifications with Roy.

He was owner, GM, and coach of QMJHL Ramparts that won national championships the year he signed on as head coach and the year he left as coach, GM. He works well with younger hockey players as Duclair can attest. I think he develops strong bonds with younger players and he would be a perfect GM or coach for a rebuilding team relying on younger players. I think this is why his public lashing of Duclair hit Duke so hard but no one could argue it was much needed. I trust Roys judgment on this. He knows Duclair better than any other coach out there and I'm sure though the public lashing was harsh he knows what Duclair can handle and what he can't. If Duclair has the fortitude to return next year I GUARANTEE you he will be a much better player just as Engvall was when he got over it. He's not showing any favortism or cronyism which hampered Lou to a fault. You want a GM or coach who will hold his players accountable. But he's not a dick in a Tortorella kind of way. He punishes then he explains. That's what any good coach would do. Ask Denis Potvin. This article explains Roy's demanding persona.

Some fans are suggesting Weekes or Hickey. Roy has qualifications born out of ownership, management, coaching, and he happens to be one of the greatest game winners of all time. What do they have to lose? Under Lou he had his hands tied. He can only use the tools he was given. Maybe he should be the one to start making the big decisions. The guy has won 4 championships as a player and 2 championships as a GM. Why doubt this guy?

 

[doublechili]

Dumb question: if the Isles want a guy from a team that's still in the playoffs, do they have to wait for that team to be finished before they can interview and move ahead? If so, and if that team makes the SCFs, they'd be hiring the guy a few days before the draft, I think.

 

[Taswell]

Dumb question: if the Isles want a guy from a team that's still in the playoffs, do they have to wait for that team to be finished before they can interview and move ahead? If so, and if that team makes the SCFs, they'd be hiring the guy a few days before the draft, I think.

I mean, a team in that situation could give them approval to chat, but I don’t see why they would bring that distraction/do the Isles that favor, so probably yes they’d have to wait.

 

[Throttle]

Dumb question: if the Isles want a guy from a team that's still in the playoffs, do they have to wait for that team to be finished before they can interview and move ahead? If so, and if that team makes the SCFs, they'd be hiring the guy a few days before the draft, I think.

They need permission. Most contracts run to June 30.

 

[Osakahaus]

Darche, Gorton or Futa

Those are the only guys i'd want for the job.

 

[SI90]

Dumb question: if the Isles want a guy from a team that's still in the playoffs, do they have to wait for that team to be finished before they can interview and move ahead? If so, and if that team makes the SCFs, they'd be hiring the guy a few days before the draft, I think.

For an executive position I don’t think so

 

[scott99]

Darche, Gorton or Futa

Those are the only guys i'd want for the job.

I was thinking about Gorton. But I worry about his drafting history. Not good with the Rangers.

 

[Mr Misunderstood]

Lou built a team that would play a lock-down style game.

Roy wanted to play an up-tempo, creative style game.

Lou-Roy butted heads on play style.

In all honesty, I kinda take Lou's side here. Why the f*** would you want to play an up-tempo style game with this roster of players? I think everyone here could've told you that that would be jamming a square peg in a round hole.

As a coach, it is your job to get the most out of the players you have. Why would you purposely put them in a bad position to perform? Was it in an effort to get the guy who built that roster fired? That's some petty shit. Or was it a coup to get his job?

Based on this, I do not want Roy moving forward.

 

[Lame Lambert]

Lou built a team that would play a lock-down style game.

Roy wanted to play an up-tempo, creative style game.

Lou-Roy butted heads on play style.

In all honesty, I kinda take Lou's side here. Why the f*** would you want to play an up-tempo style game with this roster of players? I think everyone here could've told you that that would be jamming a square peg in a round hole.

As a coach, it is your job to get the most out of the players you have. Why would you purposely put them in a bad position to perform? Was it in an effort to get the guy who built that roster fired? That's some petty shit. Or was it a coup to get his job?

Based on this, I do not want Roy moving forward.

Counterpoint: Lou likely hired Roy to bring a more up-tempo style to this team. That was the whole reason he fired Trotz.

 

[Mr Misunderstood]

Counterpoint: Lou likely hired Roy to bring a more up-tempo style to this team. That was the whole reason he fired Trotz.

Counter-counterpoint: When he fired Trotz, he didn't hire Roy. He hired YOUR BOY Lane.