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

[periferal]

I didn't listen, what did he say? He seems to have more of the scoop these days since Lamoriello is on the way out.

Check it out below. You only have to listen to the 2nd half. It's one piece of the puzzle that goes along with both of Staple's two Athletic articles from this afternoon and evening (both great articles by the way)....

 

[duster19]

Based on Staple's Athletic article today, Botta's podcast this evening, as well as all the other buzz out there and I am preparing myself for Marc Bergevin to not just be President, but GM as well.

Not at all what I want, but I only hope he's surrounded by more level-headed/rational people to keep him from being Mike Milbury 2.0.

I’ll be disappointed if that’s the outcome. I was hoping for a split in the positions. Situation is very different now in LA. Honestly most of the names I’ve seen I’m not enthused about outside of Gorton. Chiarelli is just scary.

 

[The Last Red]

I would take him and offer him a lot. I would be very surprised if he left MTL though. High profile job. Got his buddy at GM. They are having success. Maybe he would prefer to be pres then EVP…

He’s under contract. He can’t just leave.

 

[YearlyLottery]

There is a such thing as learning from your mistakes.

 

[I Loveallsports]

Nomore old school boys club GM's.
Go in a different direction.

 

[Throttle]

Nomore old school boys club GM's.
Go in a different direction.

Because the new school has demonstrated such success so far…

 

[periferal]

Where I think the President/GM search stands as of this morning...


I'm too lazy to bring up all the reports, articles, and tweets from sources, but if you read between the tea leaves Bergevin's name was put out their first, and most often.

Ken Holland was also out there early. However I forget where I read it, but I remember seeing him tied to another team and...He has not been mentioned barely at all in the past few days.

Jarmo Kekäläinen is also mentioned a bunch, but I get the sense he wants the job perhaps more than Collins/the Isles want him at this point. If I had to bet, I'd say Bergevin/Holland (maybe as a pair) are the Isles top choice(s), with Kekäläinen being the "easy" (but not smart) backup option.

What might complicate things now is Rob Blake being fired by the Kings just yesterday. Since Bergevin is already the "special advisor to the GM" for the Kings, that would be a seamless transition for him/the Kings...IF they want him and he wants them. No idea on that front.

That said Luc Robitaille is still the President of Hockey Ops for the Kings and if Bergevin has designs on being POHO for a team then he almost certainly has to come to the Islanders (again assuming they want him, and I believe they do in some capacity).

I also think the Isles/Collins like Darche in Tampa, but considering all the work that needs to be done in getting ready for the draft, rebuilding a front office and overhauling the scouting department with only 7 weeks to the draft/free agency...It sounds like Collins/Malkin want someone who is experienced and can step right in making hired - And isn't learning on the job.

That almost eliminates Darche unless Bergevin becomes the POHO and GM out of the gate, and Darche is made the "GM in waiting" in the next few seasons. Darche probably has the Tampa GM job locked up when BriseBois leaves, but he's only 48 (same age as Darche) so that could be a very long time.

Add it all up and here is my very non-scientific gut percentages of who winds up joining the Isles in some capacity as of this morning...

• Marc Bergevin - 85%
• Ken Holland - 50%
• Jarmo Kekäläinen - 37%
• Mathieu Darche - 21%

 

[MJF]

I didn't listen, what did he say? He seems to have more of the scoop these days since Lamoriello is on the way out.

Wasn't Staple the one who was prepping us for Lou sticking around another year?

I don't think Art is as connected as he thinks he is.

 

[Tahoeblue]

Could we see the Isles just promote Morrow as GM or Pres?

 

[doublechili]

With the state of the Isles hockey operations/scouting organization (or lack thereof), as I've said before it makes a bit of sense to focus on building that organization for a year. Don't make any major deals or signings for players. Evaluate the roster and work on resolving issues with guys they don't want long term (eg., like Mayfield and Pelech?). Compile some futures, including moving out players that have value but are not in the long term plan (JGP? Lee?). Try to get at least a couple more picks in the first few rounds of the 2026 draft.

Basically take a step back for a year and build the organization. If so, maybe Holland as POHO/GM to start makes some sense, with the idea that he gives up the GM title after a year or two. I'm leaving Gorton out of this because he seems like a longshot, but if they could get him he'd be even better (and would have a longer timeline than Holland).

 

[Thrasymachus]

Maybe they can dust off Radek Martinek and get him to reanimate as a GM this time.

 

[impaaaaaact]

This shakes things up a bit. Bowness is a scouting guy right? Bet he has access to his dad's rolodex as well.

 

[SRBisles]

This shakes things up a bit. Bowness is a scouting guy right? Bet he has access to his dad's rolodex as well.

Staios is the GM, Sens won’t be looking to fill a top role. Shouldn’t affect the Islanders’ search.

 

[PK Cronin]

Wasn't Staple the one who was prepping us for Lou sticking around another year?

I don't think Art is as connected as he thinks he is.

I was referring to Botta, not Staple.

 

[icelander25]

With the state of the Isles hockey operations/scouting organization (or lack thereof), as I've said before it makes a bit of sense to focus on building that organization for a year. Don't make any major deals or signings for players. Evaluate the roster and work on resolving issues with guys they don't want long term (eg., like Mayfield and Pelech?). Compile some futures, including moving out players that have value but are not in the long term plan (JGP? Lee?). Try to get at least a couple more picks in the first few rounds of the 2026 draft.

Basically take a step back for a year and build the organization. If so, maybe Holland as POHO/GM to start makes some sense, with the idea that he gives up the GM title after a year or two. I'm leaving Gorton out of this because he seems like a longshot, but if they could get him he'd be even better (and would have a longer timeline than Holland).

This is exactly what we should do. Nothing in our team says we’re ready to compete this year. Trade Lee & Pageau either this off-season or at the deadline. Hold onto or trade Mayfield & Engvall if a deal comes along; if not then you can buy them out after next year.
Everything in our power should be aimed to compete for the 26-27 season. Ritchie will have had a year under his belt and Schaefer + Eiserman will finally join the team. Plus we’ll also have a shit ton of cap space after any combination of Lee/Pageau/Mayfield/Varly/Engvall are gone. Not saying we get any of the top ufa’s but next years class is absurd. Now we may actually be an attractive destination with less strict rules after Lou and a brighter future.
Don’t want to get ahead of myself but this could easily be the 26-27 roster
Kyle Connor - Horvat - Barzal
Eiserman - Ritchie - Holmstrom
Duclair - D. Nelson - Tsyplakov
Gatcomb - Cizikas - (Fill in)

Romanov - Dobson
Schaefer - Pulock
George - Deangelo/Fill in

Sorokin
(Fill in)

That’s a lineup that would turn me on plus we’d have a pretty bright future.

 

[Isles72]

Holland hired his son as an AGM in edmonton which is something I'd hope Collins / Malkin says no to .

 

[periferal]

I'm preparing myself to be disappointed. Imagine having dozens of good/young executives to interview and choose from throughout NHL circles, and you wind up going with a recycled GM who isn't even good enough to have that position right now....

Staple retweeted this below so sure sounds like he thinks it's accurate...

 

[SRBisles]

This list doesn’t exactly instill confidence. Hoping Gorton but not getting my hopes up.

 

[periferal]

This list doesn’t exactly instill confidence. Hoping Gorton but not getting my hopes up.

Was about to get lunch until I saw this...

 

[Chardo]

Was about to get lunch until I saw this...

Wait an hour.

 

[periferal]

Wait an hour.

What happens then...I start officially throwing up?

 

[Strummergas]

This list doesn’t exactly instill confidence. Hoping Gorton but not getting my hopes up.

What if Holland is hired as President and then hires someone like Gorton to be GM?

 

[BMOK33]

I'm preparing myself to be disappointed. Imagine having dozens of good/young executives to interview and choose from throughout NHL circles, and you wind up going with a recycled GM who isn't even good enough to have that position right now....

Staple retweeted this below so sure sounds like he thinks it's accurate...

I think recent failures of many first time GMs has to be a factor in their thinking

 

[JJ18Sniper]

What if Holland is hired as President and then hires someone like Gorton to be GM?

Not sure if thats an upgrade over his EVP of hockey ops position with Montreal. I'm assuming the POHO position is what would entice him.

 

[Strummergas]

Not sure if thats an upgrade over his EVP of hockey ops position with Montreal. I'm assuming the POHO position is what would entice him.

Maybe not. But I also said "someone like Gorton". In other words, a younger up-and-coming type who would be taking on more responsibility as Isles GM, with a possible path to promotion if Holland steps down in a few years.

Many posters have expressed disdain over a possible "old boys club" hire. But an experienced hire for POHO with a younger second in command could make it all easier to swallow.