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The Lou Lamoriello era is over in New Jersey.
Just over two months after stepping aside as GM - and handing that position to Ray Shero -
Lamoriello has resigned as President of the Devils to shockingly accept a job as GM of the Maple Leafs.
In exchange for Lamoriello, who signed a three-year contract with the Maple Leafs, the Devils will receive a 3rd round pick of Toronto's choice within the next three drafts.
Some thoughts on the big news:
- On the surface this move was shocking but it does make some sense. Lamoriello was GM of the Devils for 28 years. He loved running the team more than anything so it was surely hard for him to take a step back and simply serve as an advisor to the man that took his job. In Toronto he'll take on a bigger role, obviously, and will have the opportunity to work with someone he has a lot of respect for in Brendan Shanahan.
- Lamoriello's tenure in New Jersey was nothing short of exceptional. Rarely is a front office member the face of a franchise but that was probably the case here. Devils co-owner Josh Harris said “Lou Lamoriello created and defined what it meant to be a New Jersey Devil,” and he was right.
In saying that the Devils haven't enjoyed much success over the last few seasons and change was necessary. With Lamoriello completely out of the picture the Devils can turn the page and fully embrace the new era.
Shero will probably feel more comfortable implementing the changes he wishes to make without Lamoriello watching over his shoulder.
- Devils ownership went out of their way to praise Shero in their press release regarding Lou Lamoriello's departure. They like what they've seen from Shero so far and are all in with him moving forward. It's his team now.
- This move signifies a complete organizational shift with the Devils. Towards the end of December Lou Lamoriello was the GM, Pete DeBoer was the head coach and David Conte was the Director of Scouting. The Devils have struggled in recent years and those three gentlemen were in charge of the operation. It's not a coincidence that all three have been removed from the picture as the Devils get set to embrace a rebuild.
- Darren Dreger speculated on TSN 1050 that Conte could end up in Toronto. He was Lamoriello's right-hand man in New Jersey so it certainly wouldn't be surprising if that's the case.
- The Maple Leafs don't have to give up a draft pick for Lamoriello next summer but they are set to pick 11 times during the 2016 draft - including twice in the 3rd round - so it could make sense to get it out of the way early.
Should Toronto elect to fork over the pick next summer the Devils will have nine draft picks and three in the 3rd round.
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