By Mike Halford, Pro Hockey Talk
In a surprising move that few saw coming, the Toronto Maple Leafs have filled their vacant general manager position by hiring longtime Devils GM Lou Lamoriello.
More, from the club:
Lamoriello has been named the 16th General Manager in the Club’s history. Lamoriello joins the Leafs after previously spending the last 28 years in the New Jersey Devils organization.
On May 4, 2015, Ray Shero was introduced as the Devils’ new General Manager while Lamoriello remained in his role as President of Hockey Operations. He finished as the longest serving general manager of any one team in the history of the NHL at 28 years (1987-2015).
In conjunction with this announcement, the Devils announced that Lamoriello had stepped down as president, a role he retained after shifting GM duties to Shero.
Is it fair to say this hire came out of left field?
Boston Bruins
Yes. But it’s not hard to see the connection between Lamoriello and the Leafs organization.
LouLam was Shanny’s first boss upon breaking into the NHL in 1987. In fact, Shanahan referenced Lamoriello this season when Toronto suspended Nazem Kadri for behavioral issues; Shanahan said he “never forgot” getting parked for three games during his rookie season with the Devils, and referenced it while discussing Kadri’s punishment.
Shanahan also returned to New Jersey at the end of his playing career, playing in 34 games during the 2008-09 campaign.
At 72, it’s fair to speculate that Lamoriello might not be long for the Toronto job. He could be in a similar “caretaker” position to the one ex-‘Canes GM Jim Rutherford took in Pittsburgh; Rutherford is mentoring assistant GMs Jason Botterill, Tom Fitzgerald and Bill Gueirn, and it’s likely that Lamoriello will do the same for Kyle Dubas and Mark Hunter.