The New York Islanders have fired 82-year-old Hall of Famer Lou Lamoriello as president and general manager after seven seasons, the team announced Tuesday. Minority owner John Collins will lead the search for his replacement.
Lamoriello joined the Islanders in May 2018, replacing longtime GM Garth Snow as majority owner Scott Malkin\'s first significant hire. His tenure peaked with back-to-back Stanley Cup semifinal appearances during the 2019-20 and 2020-21 seasons, earning him consecutive Jim Gregory Awards as the NHL\'s top general manager.
The team\'s performance declined over the past three seasons despite Lamoriello\'s attempts to spark improvements. He acquired Bo Horvat in 2022-23 and replaced coach Lane Lambert with Patrick Roy in January 2024, but the Islanders suffered quick playoff exits to the Carolina Hurricanes in consecutive years before missing the postseason entirely this year with just 80 points.
During his final season, Lamoriello traded veteran center Brock Nelson to Colorado for prospect Calum Ritchie and a first-round pick but retained other tradable veterans as the team struggled down the stretch. The Islanders now face critical decisions regarding pending free agent Kyle Palmieri and several aging veterans with long-term contracts.
The incoming general manager will inherit a front office that remained largely intact under Lamoriello\'s leadership, with ownership potentially considering splitting the president and GM roles to accommodate a less experienced candidate.
\"The Islanders extend a heartfelt thank you to Lou Lamoriello for his extraordinary commitment over the past seven years,\" the team said in a statement. \"His dedication to the team is in line with his Hall of Fame career.\"
Lamoriello was previously team president and GM of the New Jersey Devils from 1997 to 2015, as well as GM of the Toronto Maple Leafs from 2015 to 2018.