In a surprise move, Lou Lamoriello was announced as the new General Manager of the Toronto Maple Leafs. For 28 years Lamoriello guided the New Jersey Devils to become among the most successful on ice franchises in the National Hockey League. In that timespan the Devils won three Stanley Cups and made the playoffs in 21 seasons. In May, Lamoriello stepped down as New Jersey’s GM and became president of the club. It lasted until today when he resigned and signed on with Toronto.
The hiring of Lamoriello follows an earlier signing of Mike Babcock as head coach of the Maple Leafs. The two men give the team a much needed boost after numerous dismal seasons. Toronto has only been in the playoffs once in the last 10 years and has not won a Stanley Cup since 1967.
Terms of the new deal have not yet been released and it isn’t clear how long Lamoriello will be staying. He is 72 years old. The task of the new GM will be to start to turn things around for the long suffering franchise, as well as to mentor some of the younger front office executives. Lamoriello was brought into the Leafs organization by first time president Brendan Shanahan. Shanahan was drafted by the Devils in 1987, the same year that Lamoriello started running that franchise.
The atmosphere in Toronto will be much different than it was in New Jersey. Lamoriello will be scrutinized over every hockey decision and press coverage will be more intense than he is used to. He stated his main goal is to win. After finishing near the bottom of the standings last season, that goal could take some time.
