Fansided

Lou Lamoriello is exactly what the Islanders need

By Matt Verderame

NEW YORK, NY - MARCH 22: John Tavares #91 of the New York Islanders skates against the Tampa Bay Lightning at Barclays Center on March 22, 2018 in New York City. Tampa Bay Lightning defeated the New York Islanders 7-6 (Photo by Mike Stobe/NHLI via Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY - MARCH 22: John Tavares #91 of the New York Islanders skates against the Tampa Bay Lightning at Barclays Center on March 22, 2018 in New York City. Tampa Bay Lightning defeated the New York Islanders 7-6 (Photo by Mike Stobe/NHLI via Getty Images) /
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The New York Islanders have been lost for years, but hiring Lou Lamoriello to oversee their hockey operations was a huge step in the right direction.

Since the start of the 1993 season, the New York Islanders have endured as many relocations as they have enjoyed playoff series victories. Much of the blame can be laid at the feet of bad ownership, questionable personnel decisions and brutally tough competition within the division, whether it be Atlantic or Metropolitan.

Regardless, the Islanders have been a mess, and now they might finally be getting their savior. On Tuesday, the team officially announced that it is hiring Lou Lamoriello as president of hockey operations for the club, giving him full control over all decisions. Lamoriello spent the last three seasons as the Toronto Maple Leafs general manager, turning them from doormat to contender.

However, Lamoriello’s biggest accomplishments took place across the Hudson River from the Islanders, serving as general manager of the New Jersey Devils. From 1987-2015, Lamoriello oversaw one of the most successful runs in modern NHL history. The Devils acquired Hall of Fame talents in Martin Brodeur and Scott Niedermayer through the draft while trading for Scott Stevens.

The result of Lamoriello’s work was five Stanley Cup Final appearances and three championships in 1995, 2000 and 2003. From ’94-’12, New Jersey reached the playoffs each season save one, showcasing an incredible amount of consistency.

Already in the Hall of Fame himself for his New Jersey exploits, Lamoriello has little to prove. At 75 years old, his career in the NHL is winding down, but he will take on the challenge of fixing the Islanders as his assumed swan song.

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His first task will be finding a way to retain superstar center John Tavares. Set to become an unrestricted free agent on July 1, Tavares is both the Islanders’ captain and their best player, racking up 621 points in 669 career games. Last year, the 27-year-old scored 84 points, two shy of his season-high 86 from 2014-15.

If the Islanders can retain his services, the offense should be set. The main challenge will be fixing the league’s worst defense last season, something that extends through both the blue line and goaltenders. New York must find some answers in net, a question that has gone unanswered since the days of Billy Smith.

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