
What Anders Lee thinks about Lou Lamoriello's exit, Islanders' stunning lottery win
Anders Lee knows that this is a business, that general managers are hired to be fired and every other cliché you can throw at the situation.
Still, Lou Lamoriello's omnipresence around the Islanders over the past seven years made it seem at times like he would leave only on his own terms.
Advertisement
And watching a general manager who built and repeatedly stood by the current Islanders core leave wasn't easy for the captain.
'It was tough. [We've] been through a lot together,' Lee told The Post on Tuesday at BTIG's Charity Day, where he was promoting his Jam Kancer in the Kan Foundation along with the Islanders Children's Foundation. 'Worked with one another alongside, working towards a common goal. We've been through a lot. Anytime you have that relationship with someone where not only is there a working relationship, but there's a relationship where people care about each other, it's never easy.
'Unfortunately it's a part of our business and how things work. We'll have to continue to look forward here and move forward.'
Advertisement
Lamoriello led the Islanders to two consecutive conference finals in 2020 and 2021, but the team has failed to win a playoff series since then.
Their failure to make the playoffs this season was the final straw for ownership, which announced a month ago it would not renew the 82-year-old's contract as president of hockey operations and general manager.
It's not yet clear whether Lamoriello will stay on in an advisory role once a replacement is hired.
3 Anders Lee said former general manager Lou Lamoriello helped him become a better captain or the Islanders.
NHLI via Getty Images
Advertisement
'In so many ways, Lou was everyone's best mentor,' Lee said. 'And was able to tell you honestly where and how he felt about the game individually, where he felt the team was. His guidance for me personally as a captain and the position I had as a player on this team go unmatched. So grateful for everything he's done for me and my family personally.
'Lou is one that could always tell you honestly, maybe not always what you wanted to hear, but what was gonna make you a better person and a better player. He played that role for everyone that came through our building during his tenure. I think all of us are just extremely grateful for who he was and the character that he has taking us through all those times.'
St. John's coach Rick Pitino, who was hired by Lamoriello at Providence College in 1985 and has maintained a close relationship with him since, echoed the sentiment.
3 The Islanders let Lou Lamoriello go as the team's president and general manager and have not hired a new one yet.
Corey Sipkin / New York Post
Advertisement
'He leads with tremendous honesty,' Pitino told The Post. 'He cares about professional athletes who play in his organization as if they're part of his family and that's unheard of in professional sports today.'
The Islanders have yet to make a hire, but reports indicated Monday night that Marc Bergevin and Mathieu Darche had both received second interviews for the position.
Whoever gets the role will jump headfirst into the scouting combine, which begins June 1, with the Islanders holding the No. 1 pick after a shock lottery win.
3 Rick Pitino, talking to the media during a Mets game in April, said Lou Lamoriello led the Islanders with 'tremendous honesty.'
AP
'That was a pretty fun 20 minutes there, seeing the balls come out and all that stuff. Have a little spark for us as a team,' Lee said. 'I think it's very exciting. There's some great options out there. Someone that's gonna make a great impact for our club.'
Defenseman Matthew Schaefer is widely rated as the top prospect in this class, with centers Michael Misa and James Hagens — a Long Island native — also possibilities to go first overall.
'These guys [the scouting staff] know what they're doing up top. They'll make a great choice for our team,' Lee said. 'From my understanding there's some great options out there. Someone that's gonna make a great impact for our club.'
Advertisement
The Islanders said in a statement that Bo Horvat sustained a lower-body injury at World Championships for Team Canada, and will see team doctors on Long Island.
Horvat will miss the remainder of World Championships, as Hockey Canada announced that Porter Martone, a projected top five pick in the draft, will replace him on the roster.

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


New York Post
3 hours ago
- New York Post
Massive favorite emerges to acquire Kevin Durant as trade rumors percolate
Gambling content 21+. The New York Post may receive an affiliate commission if you sign up through our links. Read our editorial standards for more information. Kevin Durant is almost certain to be traded this offseason and, as rumors swirl, there is a clear frontrunner to acquire the 36-year-old. Oddsmakers at DraftKings Sportsbook have pinpointed the San Antonio Spurs as massive -160 favorites (61.54 percent implied) to land the future Hall of Famer. The next most likely team to acquire Durant, at least according to the bookies, is the Houston Rockets, who come in at +600 odds (14.29 percent implied). The Knicks are the third-most likely team to acquire Durant via trade, coming in at +800 (11.11 percent) odds as their team hangs in limbo of a critical coaching hire. However, The Post exclusively reported Wednesday that the team is not pursuing such a deal. Kevin Durant next team odds Team Odds Spurs -160 Rockets +600 Suns +800 Knicks +800 Timberwolves +850 Thunder 25/1 Raptors 30/1 Magic 30/1 Heat 30/1 Mavericks 30/1 Cavaliers 30/1 76ers 35/1 Odds via DraftKings There have been loads of reports linking Durant to the Spurs, with some speculating he has made it clear that he wants to be traded to San Antonio this offseason. Should the Spurs land him, they would undoubtedly be among the most intriguing young teams in the NBA and could make a massive leap to contender status in a crowded Western Conference. Victor Wembanyama could certainly use a Kevin Durant-type mentor. Charles Wenzelberg / New York Post The Spurs are currently 14/1 to win the NBA Finals in 2026, which is hinting at a massive trade, as well as usual standout production from unicorn center Victor Wembanyama in his third campaign. Wembanyama's season ended early due to a blood clot last year. Betting on the NBA? San Antonio had also been linked to Giannis Antetokounmpo, who may also be available in a trade this summer. It is expected, though, that Antetokounmpo won't be traded this offseason, and that situation could be dragged into the regular season before teams look to load up for potential playoff runs, similar to what the Heat did with Jimmy Butler this past season when they traded him to the Warriors. Why Trust New York Post Betting Erich Richter is a brazilian jiu-jitsu blue belt but he has a black belt in MMA betting. During the football season he's showcased massive profits at The Post in the player prop market the last two seasons. While constantly betting long shots, his return on investment is 30.15 percent since 2022.


New York Post
6 hours ago
- New York Post
Rangers continuing Chris Kreider trade talks with Ducks as Chris Drury breaks up the core
Access the Rangers beat like never before Join Post Sports+ for exciting subscriber-only features, including real-time texting with Mollie Walker about the inside buzz on the Rangers. tRY IT NOW The divorce after 13 years that has seemed inevitable for months now appears at hand. The Core will be no more. The Post has confirmed reports that the Rangers are in advanced discussions with the Ducks about sending Chris Kreider to Anaheim, with a well-placed source telling The Post that talks will continue on Wednesday. Advertisement Kreider, who joined the Blueshirts for the 2012 playoffs and is the club's most senior player, has two years remaining on his contract at an annual cap hit of $6.5 million per. At this point it is unclear what would be coming back in the deal. The separation between the club and its third all-time leading goal scorer (326) has been forecast for months following a public breach last November, when contents of a league-wide memo circulated by Chris Drury in which the GM cited Kreider by name — as well as Jacob Trouba — as being available on the market were leaked. Chris Kreider Charles Wenzelberg / New York Post Advertisement Plus, there was the healthy scratch in New Jersey on Dec. 23 in which the team went above and beyond to announce this was not injury-related. Now it appears that Kreider — who has a 15-team no-trade list — will be joining the former Rangers captain in Orange County. Kreider, who turned 34 at the end of April, is coming off the worst full season of his career in which he was plagued by multiple injuries. The winger recorded 22 goals and only eight assists in 68 games while scoring only one power play goal after the calendar flipped to 2025. The Boston College product trails only icons Rod Gilbert (406) and Jean Ratelle (336) on the franchise goal-scoring leaderboard and is 10th in points (582). Advertisement Chris Drury Robert Sabo for NY Post He is the all-time leader in Rangers playoff goals (48) and points (76), the goal total of course including No. 20's 2024, Game 6 third-period hat trick in Carolina that propelled the Blueshirts to the conference finals against Florida. The Rangers went to the conference finals five times in his career, once to the Cup Final in 2014. If Kreider is indeed moved, his closest friend, Mika Zibanejad, might be more amenable to waiving his full no-move clause if asked. The two men have grown inseparable over the last number of years. Advertisement The Blueshirts entered last season with the core that had been in place from 2019-20 that featured Kreider, Zibanejad, Trouba, Igor Shesterkin, Artemi Panarin, Adam Fox, Filip Chytil, Ryan Lindgren and Kaapo Kakko with K'Andre Miller and Alexis Lafreniere joining the band the following season. When Kreider goes — joining Trouba, Chytil, Lindgren and Kakko, up to now — the core will be no more.


New York Post
9 hours ago
- New York Post
Post's expert makes his US Open picks
The Post's Mark Cannizzaro makes his selections for the U.S. Open, which begins Thursday: Xander Schauffele It's time for him to be heard this year after winning two majors last year. He's played eight U.S. Opens in his career and has never finished worse than 14th, with six top 7s along the way. Scottie Scheffler The unflappable world No. 1 cannot be discounted. A U.S. Open victory would mark the third leg of a career Grand Slam. Scheffler enters the week having won three of his past four starts, which happen to include the PGA Championship and the Memorial. Bryson DeChambeau plays his shot from the ninth tee during a practice round for the U.S. Open on June 10, 2025. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect It's not good business to pick against him. Bryson DeChambeau He's the defending champion, has seemingly figured out the secret to contending in major championships, and he's one of the physically strongest players in the field, which will be a big factor in advancing shots out of the unforgiving rough. Harris English Here is an excellent dark horse. Not one of the biggest names in the game, but is steady and has a strong record playing on difficult courses, with three top 8 U.S. Open finishes. He tied for second at the PGA and 10th at the Masters and played well at the Memorial (T-12) and Truist (T-11). So, he's trending. Shane Lowry tees off on the tenth hole during a practice round for the U.S. Open at Oakmont Country Club. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect Shane Lowry The Irishman has a history at Oakmont, having finished runner-up in the 2016 U.S. Open after having a four-shot lead in the final round. So, there's a score to be settled. He, too, has been in good form this year, though is without a victory, which is gnawing at him. He's a straight driver and an excellent iron player. If he putts well, he has a great chance to win this week.