The Toronto Maple Leafs hiring of Lou Lamoriello as their 16th general manager cannot be criticized in terms of adding one of the most respected and experienced executives in the game, but it does call into question if the 72-year-old Hall of Famer will alter the direction of the club.
In his 28 years with New Jersey, Lamoriello was the club’s President, GM, head coach at times and the final arbiter on all things related to the Devils and while it appears that he will have a certain amount of autonomy in his new position, it will be as part of the group and plan being put forth by Team President Brendan Shanahan.
“I report to Brendan,… Lamoriello said on Thursday. “And the other people report to me.…
Lamoriello indicated that preaching patience and developing a culture of winning and teamwork was the right direction for the Leafs, which is the same mantra head coach Mike Babcock uttered in May. It is doubtful that either would have been hired by Shanahan if they had not signed on for the grand teardown and rebuilding plan.
“I don’t know how other people are going to imagine things are going to go, but I spelled it out and I can’t be more consistent and more clear about how I think this organization can be successful. Lou bought into that.… Shanahan said on TSN 1050 Radio on Thursday. He will certainly be a leader. I’m asking any General Manager to be a leader. He will make decisions, but he will make them with us. He will have a very strong presence.…
The management structure being assembled by Shanahan is modeled after the Detroit Red Wings staff under Ken Holland, with quality hockey people like Scotty Bowman, Jimmy Devellano, Jim Nill and Steve Yzerman bringing something to the table and providing input.
Toronto has Director of Player Personnel Mark Hunter, Assistant GM’s Kyle Dubas and Brandon Pridham handling various aspects of the club’s operations, which takes some of the day-to-day burden off of Lamoriello. The decision making will be made collectively, with Team President Brendan Shanahan having the final say.
“It’s not unlike when Mark Hunter comes to me and says, ‘I want to draft his player.’ I just simply say, ‘tell me why.’ If he gives me a good reason, I say, ‘great, let’s draft him’, because that’s his expertise and not mine.… Shanahan said. “If Kyle Dubas says, ‘I want to sign this player’, and we all sit around and we get Brandon Pridham in there, and if it fits in the cap and makes sense, we say, ‘tell us why’ and we have a debate.…
It is not a stretch to think that someone used to running the show as Lamoriello did can be as effective in a more diverse management structure. Bowman ran the Buffalo Sabres as GM and head coach for most of the 1980’s, but took lesser roles in Pittsburgh and Detroit, before becoming an advisor in Chicago.
With Lamoriello in place as GM, his main focus will be to evaluate the organization’s roster, determine which players can contribute under Babcock in Toronto and use his wealth of experience and contacts throughout the league to get the best return for those who do not fit in the Leafs future.
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The Maple Leafs and the London Knights have many connections, with current co-owner and former GM Mark Hunter and former head scout Lindsay Hofford part of Toronto’s management team, Knights alumni Nazem Kadri, Scott Harrington, Ryan and Matt Rupert on the roster and 2015 top pick Mitch Marner likely returning to play in London next season.
Another Toronto prospect may be headed to the OHL Knights, as the London Free Press reports that 2014 fourth round pick JJ Piccinich may forfeit the last three years of his college scholarship and leave Boston University.
The 19-year-old forward scored one goal and three assists as a freshman for the Terriers last season, but played only 25 of 41 games and did not see action in the NCAA Frozen Four. Piccinich’s OHL rights belong to London and it is possible that his development as a pro prospect will be better served playing under the watchful eye of Dale Hunter.
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