Lou Lamoriello is the 16th general manager in Toronto Maple Leafs history. Here are five things Lamoriello brings to the Leafs:
1. RELATIONSHIPS
Lamoriello was GM of the New Jersey Devils for 28 years. He knows everyone who's anyone and could even have some phone numbers memorized at this point. With the Leafs in a rebuilding process, relationships are valuable to help make trades.
2. EXPERIENCE
This is team president Brendan Shanahan's first NHL front-office job, and the same goes for assistants Mark Hunter, Kyle Dubas and Brandon Pridham. Lamoriello knows how to run a team, something he perfected over decades in New Jersey.
3. A DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVE
In Shanahan, the Leafs have a former star player, in Hunter an experienced talent evaluator with junior experience and in Dubas a new-school analytics approach. Lamoriello brings the old-school traditional perspective that balances out the group.
4. PEDIGREE
Lamoriello's Devils missed the playoffs three straight seasons, but he also has three Stanley Cup rings to show for his Hall of Fame career. New Jersey made 21 post-season appearances and five finals, and that resume brings immediate respect.
5. EYE FOR TALENT
Lamoriello's first draft pick back in 1987 was Shanahan, and he and head scout David Conte also selected Martin Brodeur, Scott Niedermayer, Patrik Elias and Zach Parise. Acquiring prospects in trades and at the draft is the biggest organizational priority.
