Agree with Wilson leaving his feet. Again the suspension was totally warranted. I think Kane received 1 game and Wilson received 3 games because Wilson is a repeat offender.
Years ago guys never hit each other in the head or took cheap shots because they would have to answer for it on the ice. The players policed these type of hit themselves.
No room for the cheap intent to injure hits in the game. - nyisles7
Lou Lamoriello has been nudged out of the general manager’s chair in Toronto, into a “senior advisor” role that he and Leafs president Brendan Shanahan agreed upon when Lamoriello took the GM job three years ago.
Of course, Lamoriello was eased into an advisory role after three decades at the helm of the Devils that same summer of 2015 and it was mere months before Shanahan came calling.
The Islanders could do very much the same with Lamoriello now. The chatter around the league is how much it makes sense for the 75-year-old Lamoriello to join up with the Isles. There are connections in place — Lamoriello’s son, Chris, is the Islanders assistant GM, and longtime Devils coach Chris Terreri is now in the Isles fold as the goaltending consultant.
Plus, there is a bond between Lamoriello and Garth Snow, the embattled current team president and GM. Snow has tried to model his Islanders on Lamoriello’s Devils teams, utilizing a small staff and enforcing rules like not allowing injured players to speak to the media and rarely allowing anyone but the GM or the head coach to speak for the organization.
Not quite the same results as the Devils from the 1990s and 2000s, mind you. But Snow and Lamoriello have been friendly in the GM world for years, which is how Chris Lamoriello ended up on Snow’s staff.
Owners Scott Malkin and Jon Ledecky may not want to consider Snow’s role in any sort of transition away from the 12-year tenure of the current president/GM. It would seem, however, that if the owners were looking for a clean slate they would have announced it as such three weeks ago rather than Ledecky’s statements from that breakup day and the following day on social media that ownership was evaluating all aspects of hockey operations.
A clean break almost certainly would have meant a strong move right at season’s end rather than this ongoing situation. If Malkin and Ledecky were waiting for the right candidate to come free from another job, Lamoriello is probably the only person they were waiting for.
It does not appear that Malkin and Ledecky have asked for permission to speak to Lamoriello — or any other candidate — as of Monday night. That could change quickly and, with the Leafs’ announcement still echoing around the league on Monday, there is certainly still time. But the fact that the Isles owners have not made a move to speak with any of the assistant GMs ready to take the next step is a bit puzzling if that’s the road they’re going down.
What would the Islanders be getting in Lamoriello? Instant respect in many corners of the league, for starters. Lamoriello may be 75, but he commands attention not just for his long, successful track record but for the way he still conducts himself and his business. He has his quirky rules, like no facial hair or unkempt flow — goodbye to Nick Leddy’s awfully impressive beard — but Lamoriello isn’t trying just to be difficult. It’s his way and it worked for a long time.
Shanahan lauded Lamoriello’s ability to work within Toronto’s crowded front-office structure but that likely wouldn’t be an issue with the Islanders. If the Islanders owners move Snow upstairs to president of hockey operations and name Lamoriello GM, it would be Lou’s team. Of that, there would be no debate.
There are certainly pitfalls that come with such an arrangement. Lamoriello’s final years in New Jersey were marked by some ugly free-agent contracts (Brian Rolston, Anton Volchenkov, Ryane Clowe) and, outside of hitting on first-rounders in 2003 and 2004 with Zach Parise and Travis Zajac, the Devils’ drafting was abysmal for years.
Lamoriello, as The Athletic’s Jonas Siegel noted in his piece linked earlier, instilled some good things in the maturing Leafs but also handed out free-agent deals to throwback players like Matt Martin and Roman Polak. Creativity may not be his strongest suit, especially at this point in his career.
If Malkin and Ledecky are looking for stability in their front office after two seasons of turmoil, Lamoriello would bring that. And if Snow is, as it seems, sticking around in one of his current capacities, the good working relationship between those two can’t hurt either.
A fresh set of eyes to evaluate this Islander team seems like the biggest plus to making a change. Lamoriello has seen it all and done it all in the NHL. What he would bring to the Islanders is unlike anything they’ve had since Bill Torrey and his bow tie exited after 20 years. It might be enough to put another check mark in the Isles’ favor when John Tavares makes his pros-and-cons list.
There are no guarantees and the wheels are not in motion. But the most experienced GM candidate the Islanders could find is now available, advisory role in Toronto notwithstanding. It’s Malkin’s and Ledecky’s move now. - nyisles7
Love how Staple insinuates that Snow and Lamoriello are pretty much the same GM. Tiger never loses his stripes
I love the comments from the Internet Hockey Pros under that video. "Everyone knows you're supposed to keep your head up!" Yeah, I'm sure all the premier forwards on the receiving end of those hits had no idea they were supposed to keep their heads up. Thankfully, Coach random Internet guy is here to offer sagely knowledge, gathered from four years of invaluable high school hockey experiences, to all those dumb NHL forwards.
I also love how snow and Lamoriello are suddenly great buddy's. Never heard of that one before till now. Two peas in a pod. - Cptmjl
Lou always hired Cappy type coaches and let them coach for years. I always heard Garth looked up to Lou but Garth should have paid more attention to some of the many things Lou did right.
Lou always hired Cappy type coaches and let them coach for years. I always heard Garth looked up to Lou but Garth should have paid more attention to some of the many things Lou did right. - ses111
I dont think Lou is the savior, or the answer to all the isles problems. But, the reality is Garth Snow has had more than ample time to turn this thing around and just didnt have the know how to do so. SO at this point anyone would be a fresh look at this and its really time to have a new set of eyes take the reigns.
Its hard to define what it is a GM needs, but when you see teams like the Lightening, or even Vegas, its just a bad reminder that whatever it is Garth doesnt have it.
I dont think Lou is the savior, or the answer to all the isles problems. But, the reality is Garth Snow has had more than ample time to turn this thing around and just didnt have the know how to do so. SO at this point anyone would be a fresh look at this and its really time to have a new set of eyes take the reigns.
Its hard to define what it is a GM needs, but when you see teams like the Lightening, or even Vegas, its just a bad reminder that whatever it is Garth doesnt have it. - kindlyrick
Lou or anyone else will not be perfect, but Lou would give instant credibility to the team. Players and agents would see the Isles in a entirely new light with Lou in charge. Some other candidates like Fitzgerald and Fenton have a lot of promise, but they have not had the big job yet. People like Lou and Dean and have with a couple of teams.
Lou or anyone else will not be perfect, but Lou would give instant credibility to the team. Players and agents would see the Isles in a entirely new light with Lou in charge. Some other candidates like Fitzgerald and Fenton have a lot of promise, but they have not had the big job yet. People like Lou and Dean and have with a couple of teams. - ses111
Truth is, anyone with GM experience would bring credibility to this team. I will say this......I am enjoying watching the rest of the NHL world try their best to not chirp Snow and this organization. A few cant hold back, but its entertaining watching guys avoid the elephant in the room. ha
Just heard an NHL radio piece on the carousel of management positions, ended with a discussion of uncle Lou, quote, I'm going out on a limb but I see the Islanders hiring Lou for a position above Snow, where he can influence moves, gives credibility and enhances the upcoming romancing of JT.
Just heard an NHL radio piece on the carousel of management positions, ended with a discussion of uncle Lou, quote, I'm going out on a limb but I see the Islanders hiring Lou for a position above Snow, where he can influence moves, gives credibility and enhances the upcoming romancing of JT. - Sec111
ANYYYYYY other team and I'd say yeah that makes perfect sense. But, the isles never cease to amaze us with stagnant decision making.
I think he's right in that Tavares is a loyal guy and I think that does mean something. But, what do i know... - kindlyrick
I was more intrigued about the thought that Hamilton could potentially be in play. I don't care about Tavares anymore. I've already mentally prepared myself for him leaving and I can't control anything about it. It's exhausting talking and reading about him. Until some sort of actual news comes out, I've just been skipping reading anything on him.
I love the comments from the Internet Hockey Pros under that video. "Everyone knows you're supposed to keep your head up!" Yeah, I'm sure all the premier forwards on the receiving end of those hits had no idea they were supposed to keep their heads up. Thankfully, Coach random Internet guy is here to offer sagely knowledge, gathered from four years of invaluable high school hockey experiences, to all those dumb NHL forwards. - UIF
I didnt read the comments, ,he absolutly kills those guys several were high some were just great open ice hits too
I was more intrigued about the thought that Hamilton could potentially be in play. I don't care about Tavares anymore. I've already mentally prepared myself for him leaving and I can't control anything about it. It's exhausting talking and reading about him. Until some sort of actual news comes out, I've just been skipping reading anything on him. - eichiefs9
I'm so done with the JT talk. I'm more interested in what if anything happens with management.
I was more intrigued about the thought that Hamilton could potentially be in play. I don't care about Tavares anymore. I've already mentally prepared myself for him leaving and I can't control anything about it. It's exhausting talking and reading about him. Until some sort of actual news comes out, I've just been skipping reading anything on him. - eichiefs9
I remember when Boston traded Hamilton to the Flames, I always wondered why the isles werent in on that? He woulda been a nice addition a few years ago.
I'd be shocked if Tavares walked, but thats just me. I dont think he's cool enough to play the hand that way......he too much of an aw shucks kinda guy. I really believe they have a handshake deal to match the best offer out there.
The conspiracy theorist in me says that the Players Union is telling them to take it to July 1st. I just find it odd that Stamkos did it, and now JT is doing it. I think it sets the tone for future players to not feel guilty about exercising their rights to test the waters. Totally my opinion, but I can see that being the case.
I was more intrigued about the thought that Hamilton could potentially be in play. I don't care about Tavares anymore. I've already mentally prepared myself for him leaving and I can't control anything about it. It's exhausting talking and reading about him. Until some sort of actual news comes out, I've just been skipping reading anything on him. - eichiefs9
Poor Dan at lighthouse decided to document every article on the topic and I think it completely ruined his love of the team. well that and snow
I remember when Boston traded Hamilton to the Flames, I always wondered why the isles werent in on that? He woulda been a nice addition a few years ago.
I'd be shocked if Tavares walked, but thats just me. I dont think he's cool enough to play the hand that way......he too much of an aw shucks kinda guy. I really believe they have a handshake deal to match the best offer out there. - kindlyrick
well then someone should offer sheet him and really bend the isles over
