Lou Lamoriello: Sticking Around After All? See Also: Ledecky’s Email

The New York Islanders’ ongoing quest for a new executive has taken another crazy twist.

According to Arthur Staple of The Athletic, Lou Lamoriello may not leave the organization after all. It’s well known that the Islanders seemed to want an executive with plenty of experience before turning the keys over to the new guy. Instead, it’s beginning to appear as if the Islanders are extremely interested in Tampa Bay’s Assistant General Manager Mathieu Darche.

#Isles GM search, daily update (subject to change within minutes, of course):

— Nothing new on Holland/Gorton/Bergevin
— Possibility that Lou Lamoriello stays on as an advisor to new GM
— Could open door to a first-time GM with Lou still around to guide
— Stay tuned…

— Arthur Staple (@StapeAthletic) May 8, 2025

The only way the Islanders may hire a first-time GM seems to be if a steady hand sticks around to guide them. All of a sudden, Lamoriello could be sticking around.

What it Means:

First, I don’t believe this means Lamoriello would retain his President of Hockey Ops title. That chair might remain vacant for the time being while Darche enters as head honcho.

It’s not uncommon for former GMs to stick around as an advisor after their jobs are done. Doug Wilson’s doing it in Pittsburgh, Marc Bergevin in LA.

What’s unusual is doing it at the same job, not even two weeks after being let go. Lamoriello’s experience got him hired in the first place. With the Islanders’ owners craving experience, and Ken Holland already rebuffing their advances, they may not have another choice.

If Lamoriello sticks around, his decision-making power would be extremely limited. It would still be a shock if his son Chris Lamoriello stuck around as AGM and Bridgeport’s GM. Ditto that for Lamoriello hires like John MacLean (NYI PP coach) and Rick Kowalsky (Bridgeport HC). Kowalsky, however, has a good reputation as a strong coach and could potentially remain.

Ultimately, if Lou stays on as an advisor, I do not think it’s anything to panic about. It’s not a bad thing to have someone with his experience still around to help the organization, especially when he’s beloved by the players and people in it.

Ledecky’s Letter:

Almost in response to the idea that nothing will change, Islanders’ co-owner Jon Ledecky sent out an email to virtually all fans last night outlining some guaranteed changes, along with what they’d look like for season ticket holders:

“- INCREASED ACCESS TO THE TEAM AND PLAYERS

• • Fan Fest Summer BBQ with the Players
  • A State of Hockey Forum with Isles Management
  • Access to open practices, training camp, and morning skates
  • Alumni meet and greets
  • Photo opportunities in the locker room
  • Open skates at UBS Arena and the Paint the Ice event
  • Special Members-only viewing parties
• $10 Emerald parking per game
• Food and beverage credits to use on game days
• A brand new, interactive Isles Rewards program”

That’s a lot of complaints being addressed. Parking concerns, far more openness, and marketing ability with players are all listed. Most intriguing, the “State of Hockey Forum with Isles Management.” What that means is anybody’s guess, but it sure is a departure from how Lamoriello ran things.

Everyone seemed to want some major change when the season ended. That change is coming. Ledecky outlined some of it, while the new hire will speak for itself. All that’s needed right now is some patience.