Can Lou Lamoriello be the saving grace of the Islanders?

There have been a lot of rumblings regarding the New York Islanders GM position after Toronto Maple Leafs GM Lou Lamoriello stepped down from his role. Many think that Lou is the perfect candidate to take over as GM after the presumed move of bumping current GM Garth Snow up to a non-hockey executive role.

The reason why Lamoriello has been such a hot topic of discussion in Islander country is because he has many connections to the franchise.  His son Chris is an Assistant General Manager, and he is very friendly with Garth Snow.  In addition, he has a former member of his team, Chris Terreri on the Islanders’ staff.  There are a million reasons why Lou should be brought in as GM, but it’s more complex than just that.

It’s a very tricky scenario because, one, Lamoriello states he is staying with the Leafs in a supervisor role, and two, the Islanders still haven’t asked to speak with any potential general manager candidates.  It’s a strange thing when co-owner Jon Ledecky states he’s reviewing the entire organization then doesn’t even attempt to reach out to other GMs.

Unfortunately, as BD Galloff pointed out earlier, this hysteria over the search for a new GM may all be for naught as it looks like Ledecky and Scott Malkin are looking more towards changing the scouting/org depth side of the Islanders.

No one is really sure why Garth Snow is still there but he seems to have a stranglehold on the current owners, just as he had on Charles Wang. If no changes are made, this is the most important off-season in the history of the Islanders. This is franchise altering stuff if Garth Snow stays and/or John Tavares leaves.

The fans are tired of being given shallow promises that never get fulfilled. There’s a reason why the Islanders have made the playoffs only four times in twelve seasons that Snow has been GM. If Lamoriello comes in as GM (unlikely as it is) he will bring a certain presence will him that could change the perception of the franchise. The Islanders go from a laughingstock with their backup goalie as GM to a legit contender as Lou has built both the Stanley Cup devils teams and the current Maple Leafs team.

Regardless of what happens, patience is wearing thin on the fans’ front. Belmont may be a ghost town if changes aren’t made soon. If John Tavares leaves for nothing it will be the single most embarrassing moment in islanders history in a two decade period of darkness. No pressure right?