Lou Lamoriello is taking control of the New York Islanders hockey operation, so the chances of star center John Tavares staying put just increased.
With Tavares headed toward unrestricted free agency, the Islanders finally took steps to end general manager Garth Snow’s reign of error and make the situation more attractive. Folks close to Tavares insisted John would like to stay — particularly with the franchise building a new arena on Long Island — but Tavares is also tired of losing.
Lamoriello became available when the Maple Leafs moved him into an advisory role and promoted Kyle Dubas to GM. Although the Islanders have yet to formally announce the hiring, multiple media outlets report that Lamoriello will run the hockey operation on a day-to-day basis.
That means the hapless Snow will lose power and possibly his job. The future of coach Doug Weight is also unclear.
And maybe, just maybe, this seismic leadership shift will convince Tavares to stick around rather than test the market.
“We are committed to long-term success,” co-owner Jon Ledecky told reporters back on April 9. “Any decisions we make are for the long-term success of our hockey club. We win and lose together as an organization, not as individuals. Missing the playoffs is beyond disappointing. At the same time, we believe we have a strong core of players that will be the basis for our success on the ice.”
Lamoriello, 75, was instrumental in the successful Toronto Maple Leafs rebuild. He enjoyed historic success with the New Jersey Devils before that.
RANGERS TARGET COLLEGE COACH
Across town, the New York Rangers wooed Boston University coach David Quinn to guide their rebuilding effort. Quinn wasn’t eager to leave the college ranks, but the Rangers kept stacking more money on the table: getting up to $12.5 million over five years.
Quinn, who would replace Alain Vigneault, has pro experience. He previously coached the AHL’s Lake Erie Monsters for three seasons (2009-12) and was an assistant coach of the Colorado Avalanche for one year before taking the helm at Boston University.
The Rangers haven’t formally announced his hiring, but Quinn notified BU that he was likely moving on to New York. His contract will certainly raise the bar for more established NHL coaches moving forward.
MEANWHILE FENTON GOES WILD
Elsewhere on the NHL management front, the Minnesota Wild hired Paul Fenton as their new general manager. He served as assistant GM in Nashville under David Poile and was the favored candidate in the Twin Cities after Chuck Fletcher got fired.
“His gift of evaluating talent is obvious in Nashville’s roster and recent success,” Wild owner Craig Leopold said in making this announcement. “My relationship with Paul goes back to my early days in Nashville and I know that Wild hockey fans are going to love Paul’s infectious passion for the game and unsurpassed work ethic. He’s the right person to deliver a Stanley Cup to the State of Hockey.”
The Wild feature a solid roster and own a track record of consistent success, but Leopold wants a Stanley Cup. Fenton won’t have a ton of salary cap space to work with, so this won’t be an overnight overhaul.
