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

[thebeernerd]

Lou Lamariello is a shrewd, ruthless son of a bitch who knows how to exploit an ownership situation to entrench his own power and prolong his career, even when the game has clearly passed him by. I know from experience, just look at my avatar. He stayed on longer than he should have with the Devils because of a string of owners who were either strapped for cash or not interested. Blitzer and Harris aren't the most hands-on owners, but when they got on board in NJ, they immediately "promoted" him to a role where he wouldn't have as much say over the team operations and gave Ray Shero (RIP) his old job. He bolted for Toronto two weeks later. He had less power under Shanahan than as the master of the realm in New Jersey, but in retrospect, he was playing the long game, waiting for a situation where he could reestablish himself as the front office tyrant. And I guess Malkin and Ledecky fit that mold because they're even less hands on than the owners we've got, who at least expect results at some point.

Unfortunately, you're not going to get away from Old Man Lou that easily. Especially if he's still lurking in the shadows pulling the strings as it seems he is on Long Island.

I'm not sure if she's ready to be a GM (or if she's make a good one), but Kate Madigan is very likable. If she gets her shot one day I really hope she dominates. Would change the game.

Get the hell away from her, we saw her first.

No, seriously, if Fitzgerald gets canned for whatever reason in the next couple years, I'd love to have her as an internal promotion. Especially since I'm not thrilled at any external replacements. Hell, not even some internal ones- Chuck Fletcher has an advisory role with us.

 

[miscs75]

So does this mean the draft party is cancelled since Lou is still around

 

[YearlyLottery]

This is such a bad look. They need to shut down the rumours. You can’t have it looking like people are saying no to offers. Also a horrible look with this Lou May stay or go. Help with the transition ok..advisor maybe…but he can’t be POHO now. They fired him. Decision has been made. Can’t go back. None of these bigger names are coming with Lou in a decision making role. Ownership looking inept publicly is a very bad thing.

On a side note I don’t think staple has much intel or sources. I also think he has a bit of an axe to grind and this is an opportunity.

Sorry could t find the link you were asking for in a previous post.

I also would find it surprising how Staple and the rest are magically getting all of these sources. The same people who had no reliable source about Lou getting axed now all of a sudden have up to the minute updates about interviews.

I don't think Staple has an axe to grind but I do think this is a perfect moment for clicks.

 

[Chardo]

Take him out back and shoot him.

 

[The Last Red]

This is starting to have a George Steinbrenner-George Costanza vibe to it.

 

[The Real JT]

Assuming these rumors about Lou remaining in some capacity have any validity, I say this with love but F*** Lou.

On a similar note, wtf is Malkin thinking? You don’t become successful in business without making decisive decisions. I understand letting Lou go was hard for him to do but once it’s done I’ll say again “WTF?”

 

[Glorydays22]

Someone needs to write another letter to Ownership!

 

[Lame Lambert]

This organization is a f***ing circus

 

[DavidVolek]

Lou has to get out of here, I could see after the Islanders won the lottery he has now decided he wants to stick around and see how he can use this to try and win a cup in the next couple of years, wouldn't surprise me if he takes offers on our #1 or other top prospects to get some win now players so he can try and revamp this thing, we need a re-build or at least a strong youth movement and if Lou is here we know that isn't going to happen, he tried destroying this team for the next decade and if the Islanders didn't win the lottery he'd be a success, now we have a saving grace in the #1 and Lou has to go before he destroys it again

 

[miscs75]

Someone needs to write another letter to Ownership!

To whom it may concern,

I (insert name here) am very upset at the decision to keep Lou Lamoriello around instead of letting him go. As a lifelong Islanders fan, I feel like this is hurting the organization more than helping. Please hire a new general manager and let Mr. Lamoriello go to his retirement home in Boca Raton, FL.

Sincerely,
Life Long Islanders Fan


*P.S. bring back the replays of penalties and goals.

 

[Throttle]

I’ll just let it play out.

People were all annoyed at the first round of candidates they didn’t like, now, they are all tripping about how long the process is taking? Or Lou is somewhere lurking in the corner?

 

[MJF]

So does this mean the draft party is cancelled since Lou is still around

Nope. Collins got this. He and Malkin want to sell the beer, food, and team gear that they missed out on in the playoffs.

 

[MJF]

This organization is a f***ing circus

It doesn’t take 4 weeks to hire a GM. Especially when the draft is 6 weeks away and he has the first pick in the draft.

 

[SI90]

Darche is a no brainer. He has experience in so many different facets. Scouting, roster building, and know the cap and financial rules well.

Only thing I can see is a guy not wanting ti work under Lou because he won’t be able to put his own finger prints on anything.

 

[miscs75]

Nope. Collins got this. He and Malkin want to sell the beer, food, and team gear that they missed out on in the playoffs.

Gotta sell $25 beers for the Bob Nystrom autograph signing.

 

[impaaaaaact]

 

[SRBisles]

I hate Staple.

 

[Throttle]

Doubtful there’s other GM openings coming soon. Can’t see any of the playoff teams purging their GMs.

 

[MJF]

Cause: Islanders have not told Lou Lamoriello to step back or stamped out the resulting brush fire.

Effect: We begin Week 4 of the GM search.

 

[seabass45]

Tough situation when the (sorta? maybe?) former guy rebuilt the org to minimize leaks but the fanbase is still craving any inside information. It's why I never really bought what the younger reporters were saying. Staple at least has been around the team and league for a long time so there are plenty of people he could talk to but at the end this is still Lou's foundation.

 

[doublechili]

I'm not a Botta fan, but I did like something Perif linked at the beginning of the process where Botta said (paraphrasing) we'll hear and think different things but ultimately won't really know anything because we won't be privy to the same info that Malkin and Collins will have. So I'll let it play out.

My gut tells me they're exhausting a process, and may want to interview one or more people whose teams are still playing, and perhaps Gorton was the one guy they'd have hired "early".

 

[Konk]

I'm not a Botta fan, but I did like something Perif linked at the beginning of the process where Botta said (paraphrasing) we'll hear and think different things but ultimately won't really know anything because we won't be privy to the same info that Malkin and Collins will have. So I'll let it play out.

My gut tells me they're exhausting a process, and may want to interview one or more people whose teams are still playing, and perhaps Gorton was the one guy they'd have hired "early".

This is precisely my thinking as well.

No need to get stressed about something that might not even happen, so I'll wait and see.

 

[crashthenet]

Hilarious. Why are we panicked by the process?

 

[Throttle]

Hilarious. Why are we panicked by the process?

Bc the internet and writing for clicks is now the way.

 

[RWWallpaper]

Can we ever just function like a normal NHL franchise? The amount of self-inflicted bullshit we put on ourselves is an embarrassment and it’s been going on for 30 goddamn years already