logo
Is Lou Lamoriello NHL's Most Coveted Free-Agent?

Is Lou Lamoriello NHL's Most Coveted Free-Agent?

Epoch Times05-05-2025

Is there a next NHL challenge for Hockey Hall of Famer Lou Lamoriello?
On May 5, the second round of the Stanley Cup playoffs will be up and running. Along with the teams still in the hunt for arguably professional sports' most famous championship trophy, what the future holds for one of the game's most successful executives is also on the minds of hockey fans.
Dismissed from his duties as president and general manager of the New York Islanders, who didn't qualify for the postseason with a record of 35–35–12, Lamoriello had been running the Long Island-based team since May 2018.
The Islanders didn't renew Lamoriello's contract at the end of the NHL's regular season last month. Now, at 82, Lamoriello is once again available on hockey's open market, for all other 31 franchise owners to consider bringing him into their organization.
As Islanders ownership, led by Scott Malkin, Jon Ledecky, and John Collins, is committed to taking their team in a different direction than Lamoriello's, the Hall of Famer could be on the shortlist with other organizations if he wants to continue.
As organizational builders go in NHL history, the Rhode Island native is at the top of the mountain. Twenty-eight years calling the shots for the New Jersey Devils, Lamoriello drafted, traded, and signed free agents who had his teams skating in Newark, New Jersey, consistently among the Eastern and Western Conferences elites. Shortly after joining the Devils in 1987, postseason dominance became routine.
Related Stories
4/19/2025
4/9/2025
New Jersey appeared in five Stanley Cup Finals, winning three times (1995, 2000, and 2003), and the Devils teams he brought together experienced 100-plus-point seasons 13 times.
As general managers go, Lamoriello has amassed 1,470 wins, solidifying him in second place all-time in NHL history, only trailing David Poile (1,533).
Jim Dowd, who enjoyed an 18-year NHL career as a center drafted by New Jersey in 1987, knows firsthand of Lamoriello's effectiveness with his players on and off the ice.
'Lou is one of the best general managers in the history of sports, not just hockey,' Dowd told The Epoch Times on Thursday. 'Everywhere he goes, Lou drives the ship. He's amazing to the people in his organizations outside of the rink. Lou has been there for his people through thick and thin.'
Dowd pointed to Lamoriello's success in New Jersey, with the Toronto Maple Leafs, and the past seven seasons on Long Island. He said he feels that if his former boss does want to continue on, be it on a full-time basis or consulting for an NHL team, he will 'definitely add value' wherever he goes.
'[Lamoriello] got Toronto moving in the right direction. His Islanders' teams made the playoffs in five of seven seasons. Lou is in unbelievable shape,' says Dowd, who operates a nutrition performance company in his native New Jersey.
Just as with skaters and goalies who put their services up for grabs when NHL free agency officially begins at noon on July 1, executives could field offers. Any completed deals probably won't be made publicly until after the Stanley Cup Finals are completed, at the earliest. As a seasoned executive, Lamoriello embraces analytics. He remains attuned to the evolution of the game, and how scouting is approached.
After leaving the Devils to revive a Maple Leafs organization that previously had qualified for the playoffs once in 10 seasons, Toronto fans saw their beloved team skate in the postseason in 2017 and 2018. Respectability was returned to the Maple Leafs organization. Same results on Long Island, courtesy of Lamoriello planning.
The Islanders, who moved into their new home ice—UBS Arena in Elmont, New York, in November 2021, reached the Eastern Conference Finals in both 2020 and 2021 against the Tampa Bay Lightning.
Lamoriello is a proven builder of successful programs, but all good things do come to an end, that is, if Lamoriello is ready for shuffleboard, seaside walks, and sunset watching. But, a bungalow in Florida may not be in the cards just yet. How the NHL president of hockey operations and general managers hiring and firing carousels shake out could determine Lamoriello's future.
Lamoriello is said to be tough with contract negotiations for skaters and goalies. However, fairness and caring are two other words that his peers use to describe the veteran NHL executive. With qualities like these, surely Lamoriello's 'in between jobs' classification could see a correction in the near future.

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

A Lucky Seven List Of All-Time Rangers Hustlers
A Lucky Seven List Of All-Time Rangers Hustlers

Yahoo

time9 minutes ago

  • Yahoo

A Lucky Seven List Of All-Time Rangers Hustlers

If you are enjoying the Stanley Cup Final, by now it must be apparent that the Panthers and Oilers have HUSTLE written all over them. Special Kudos to aging vets Corey Perry of Edmonton and Brad Marchand of Florida. Advertisement Over the years, the Ranger roster was sprinkled with Marchand-types who never stopped skating. The Maven's All-Time Rangers hustlers appear here in Chronological time: The Best Rangers Hustlers On The Team Currently The Best Rangers Hustlers On The Team Currently Enough with the talk about the deadwood core. Here's a short list of The Maven's favorite TRY HARD GUYS. 1. PHIL WATSON: It wasn't that "Phiery Phil" set up the 1940 Stanley Cup-winning goal for New York in 1940, but that didn't hurt. Watson's big mouth churned away as fast as his skates. Phil never wore a sign that read: BATTERIES NOT INCLUDED! 2. DEAN PRENTICE: Shamefully, the Hockey Hall of Fame has ignored one of the most consistent left wingers in history. Hall Of Fame right wing Andy Bathgate would have been the first to claim that Dean's hard work led to AB's HOF nomination. Advertisement 3. ANDY HEBENTON: GM Muzz Patrick's greatest discovery, Hebby was toiling with Tacoma in the Western League when Muzz signed him as a winger for the 1955-56 season. Andy scored a huge OT goal for New York and became an NHL iron man. 4. RED SULLIVAN: Nobody in Sully's time had more go-go in his system than the center who would become captain. Red was a ferret on the spoor of a hot puck and one of his other favorite targets was the Habs goalie; whenever Jacques Plante wandered. 5. LARRY POPEIN: Before Bathgate became a superstar, Andy needed a crafty center to help launch his career. "Pope" was the perfect pivot; as well as a superior skater who "read" Bathgate's moves as well as any. 6. JOHNNY WILSON: Once the dynamo behind Gordie Howe and Ted Lindsay on the Dynastic Detroit Red Wings, Wilson – yet another iron man – was a hero on the 1961-62 Ranger club that made the playoffs under player-coach Doug Harvey. 7. NICK MICKOSKI: Groomed with the Rangers Eastern Amateur Hockey League's New York Rovers, "Bashful Nick Ready Top Click" wore his number 11 proudly. The Winnipeger's hustle did not result in any All-Star nominations but the fans – Maven included – loved the guy!

Okeeheelee Park's $400,000 pump track for cyclists, skateboarders and scooters now open
Okeeheelee Park's $400,000 pump track for cyclists, skateboarders and scooters now open

Yahoo

time24 minutes ago

  • Yahoo

Okeeheelee Park's $400,000 pump track for cyclists, skateboarders and scooters now open

Palm Beach County's first bicycle pump track is open for business. The pump track, a circuit of rollers and banked turns designed for bicycles, foot scooters and skateboards, is already seeing heavy use. Users generate momentum by 'pumping' or by up-and-down body movements. There is no need to pedal. The track opened on May 31 at Okeeheelee Park, on Forest Hill Boulevard near Greenacres, with a ribbon-cutting ceremony and exhibition rides from both professional and amateur riders. The 10,000-square-foot facility offers a continuous-loop riding experience for people of all ages and skill levels. It can accommodate wheelchairs. Motorized vehicles are not permitted. The two-year-in-the-making track was made possible by a $400,000 donation from Margaret Blume and Palm Beach Pump Track, the nonprofit that oversaw its construction. The county Parks Department now operates it. Velosolutions, the Swiss-based company that built the track, defines a pump track as a 'High Performance Playground for Everything with Wheels.' The asphalt-surface pump track, open from sunrise to sunset, lies behind the dog park at Okeeheelee Park. Four things to know for those who plan to visit: Helmets are required, and safety equipment is highly recommended. The track is not wide enough for more than one participant at a time. Pets and personal belongings are prohibited on the track surface. Users should ride within their own ability. The track is unsupervised. Signage warns riders to ride at their own risk. The county expects the facility to be a major draw as the closest pump track is in Haulover Beach in Miami-Dade County. 'We are thrilled with the amount of usage thus far,' said Jennifer Kraatz, president of Palm Beach Pump Track. 'The word has gotten out.' More: Okeeheelee Park may be getting another amenity: a playground for everything with wheels Kraatz said the pump track has been designed to host qualifying tournament events that could be held in conjunction with the Palm Beach County Sports Commission. That is not expected to occur until next year, but Kraatz said that she expects communitywide tournaments to be held before then. Her nonprofit already operates the BMX track at Okeeheelee Park. Unlike the pump track, that course features a track that requires pedaling and has separated start-and-finish lines. Bicyclists mostly use it. Mike Diamond is a journalist at The Palm Beach Post, part of the USA TODAY Florida Network. He covers Palm Beach County government and transportation. You can reach him at mdiamond@ Help support local journalism. Subscribe today This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Okeeheelee Park pump track opens near West Palm Beach, Florida

Oilers Must Make Changes To Win Tonight
Oilers Must Make Changes To Win Tonight

Yahoo

time44 minutes ago

  • Yahoo

Oilers Must Make Changes To Win Tonight

EDMONTON – Tonight is a big night. In the grand scheme of things, it's just another Monday. But, for the Edmonton Oilers and their hopes of hoisting a Stanley Cup, it's big. Bigger than the receding hairline on my forehead (I'm bald, btw). Advertisement Bookmark The Hockey News Edmonton Oilers team site to never miss the latest news, game-day coverage, and more. Leaving Edmonton with a split was a good outcome. Obviously, being up 2-0 would have been ideal. The Florida Panthers are giving the Oilers a run for their money, as they should be. For Connor McDavid and company to take a 2-1 series lead, they are going to have to make some adjustments. Here are three changes the Oilers can make to have a better chance of winning Game 3. Trending Oilers Stories What Do Oilers Fans Chant? Playoffs Edition What Do Oilers Fans Chant? Playoffs Edition EDMONTON – The playoffs are often a game of inches. Advertisement 'We Are In The Final For A Reason': Corey Perry Keeps Oilers' Cup Final Loss In Perspective Shawn Horcoff's Son Would Love To Play With Oilers' Star How To Make The McDavid-To-Maple Leafs Rumors Stop EXCLUSIVE: Mark Messier On Oilers, Budweiser, His Future & More Oilers 2025 Stanley Cup Final Schedule & 3 Bold Predictions Oilers Secretive Of New Victory Song, Oilers Secretive Of New Victory Song, "Pink Pony Club" EDMONTON – 'I'm gonna keep on dancing.' Better Breakouts No one watching a Cup Final game wants to see a defender parked behind his net, waiting for better passing options. That's exactly what happened in Game 2. Advertisement It felt like various Oilers defenders did that at least 10 total times. I couldn't tell you the last time I've seen them sitting and waiting for better options to break the puck out of their zone. To combat this, at least two of the three forwards must circle around the defensive zone to make themselves an option. With more forward support, cleaner breakouts with possession are more likely to result. Dump And Chase After Game 2, Corey Perry told the media that the Oilers are a team that likes to make plays. He also recognized that they need to make the best play available when the pressure is on. Corey Perry (Walter Tychnowicz-Imagn Images) Sometimes, the best play is to dump and chase. If the Panthers want to play a grinding, physically intense, 1-0 type of contest, the Oilers are more than capable of playing that way – and winning. Have A Zach Hyman Mentality Zach Hyman won't play again until next season. However, during the series against the Dallas Stars, he made a commitment to hit the opposition as much as possible. Advertisement The Oilers could use a little more of that. Vasily Podkolzin and Evander Kane have been noticeably more physical in this series comparative to the Conference Finals. However, it's going to take the entire team to make life as difficult as possible for the Panthers. When the Oilers are in the offensive zone, they must finish every single check against the Panthers defenders as possible. Seth Jones, Aaron Ekblad, and Gustav Forsling are averaging 32+ minutes a game so far in the Cup Final. Niko Mikkola is is entering the same conversation with 55:29 total minutes played in two games against the Oilers. By having better breakout support, a grinding mentality, and 'hit-first-ask-questions-latter' physical game, the Oilers will be poised to gain an advantage in this final series of the year. Add us to your Google News favourites, and never miss a story.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store