Calum Ritchie with the GWG.

https://x.com/stapeathletic/status/1920593129670918637?s=46

This is what I’m afraid of. Lou staying on in advisory role…
- streaks

This is making me twitch.

That this guy should stop smoking crack immediately!
- nyisles7

This is making me twitch.
- Cptmjl

It would be a major mistake to keep Lou around and not just for the obvious reasons of keeping Lou around. It’s admission that whoever they targeted said no. It seems to me if ownership weren’t going to re new Lou you’d think they had a plan B. It seems like they’re just flat out last minute Larrying here.

This is making me twitch.
- Cptmjl

I can't imagine they'd consider this. Who would eagerly jump at a leadership position in any industry if the person they're replacing is still around nitpicking their decisions or having any sort of influence over the process? If it's a new person coming in over the GM, that's one thing, but someone who had the job and was, for all intents and purposes, replaced, and who has all his people entrenched there...it's difficult if not impossible to avoid friction unless everyone involved has absolutely no ego whatsoever.

"OK, we need to take this thing in a whole new direction" *looks to the corner of the room and sees Lou's angry old man glare*

I guess if he didn't just make it up, Staple had to get it from someone, but I don't think the reporting is accurate.

I can't imagine they'd consider this. Who would eagerly jump at a leadership position in any industry if the person they're replacing is still around nitpicking their decisions or having any sort of influence over the process? If it's a new person coming in over the GM, that's one thing, but someone who had the job and was, for all intents and purposes, replaced, and who has all his people entrenched there...it's difficult if not impossible to avoid friction unless everyone involved has absolutely no ego whatsoever.

"OK, we need to take this thing in a whole new direction" *looks to the corner of the room and sees Lou's angry old man glare*

I guess if he didn't just make it up, Staple had to get it from someone, but I don't think the reporting is accurate.
- UIF

Botta thinks the Isles let that leak out on purpose. Not sure if they are just trying to gauge the reaction from media/fans or if they have other intentions for doing it.

Chris Botta
@ChrisBottaNHL
14h
Here’s the thing about the Lamoriello scoop. That astounding exclusive by Arthur doesn’t happen by accident. He is connected. #Isles let that float out there.

If you’re Scott Malkin and you truly care about Lou, is the reaction tonight really how you want to handle his legacy?

He also seems to think Jarmo is back in the mix.

Chris Botta
@ChrisBottaNHL
44m
NEWS, from sources:
Jarmo Kekäläinen is in the mix for #Isles

I can't imagine they'd consider this. Who would eagerly jump at a leadership position in any industry if the person they're replacing is still around nitpicking their decisions or having any sort of influence over the process? If it's a new person coming in over the GM, that's one thing, but someone who had the job and was, for all intents and purposes, replaced, and who has all his people entrenched there...it's difficult if not impossible to avoid friction unless everyone involved has absolutely no ego whatsoever.

"OK, we need to take this thing in a whole new direction" *looks to the corner of the room and sees Lou's angry old man glare*

I guess if he didn't just make it up, Staple had to get it from someone, but I don't think the reporting is accurate.
- UIF

Nothing is easy with this team. Why would Lou be even be interested in hanging around? If he still has any interest, he has no self-respect. Hopefully it's not true.

Botta thinks the Isles let that leak out on purpose. Not sure if they are just trying to gauge the reaction from media/fans or if they have other intentions for doing it.

Chris Botta
@ChrisBottaNHL
14h
Here’s the thing about the Lamoriello scoop. That astounding exclusive by Arthur doesn’t happen by accident. He is connected. #Isles let that float out there.

If you’re Scott Malkin and you truly care about Lou, is the reaction tonight really how you want to handle his legacy?

He also seems to think Jarmo is back in the mix.

Chris Botta
@ChrisBottaNHL
44m
NEWS, from sources:
Jarmo Kekäläinen is in the mix for #Isles
- Gabe Athaus

I'm not sure how I feel about Jarmo.

Stefen Rosner
@stefen_rosner
13m
Hearing that #GoBolts AGM/Director of Hockey Ops Mathieu Darche has an interview with #Isles.

Botta thinks the Isles let that leak out on purpose. Not sure if they are just trying to gauge the reaction from media/fans or if they have other intentions for doing it.

Chris Botta
@ChrisBottaNHL
14h
Here’s the thing about the Lamoriello scoop. That astounding exclusive by Arthur doesn’t happen by accident. He is connected. #Isles let that float out there.

If you’re Scott Malkin and you truly care about Lou, is the reaction tonight really how you want to handle his legacy?

He also seems to think Jarmo is back in the mix.

Chris Botta
@ChrisBottaNHL
44m
NEWS, from sources:
Jarmo Kekäläinen is in the mix for #Isles
- Gabe Athaus

Eh, I've followed the hockey media long enough to not have the same faith as Botta in their sterling reputations

I'm not just talking about the rumor mongers, either. I've seen the most reputable ones play fast and loose with information. Maybe someone told Staple that, but I don't think it was Malkin or Collins. In his last article updating us on potential candidates, he cited "a variety of league sources," so this new information might have come to him from someone not even involved with the Islanders.

I'm not sure how I feel about Jarmo.
- ses111

He seems to have drafted well enough, I'd have to do some more digging to see how his trades worked out

He seems to have drafted well enough, I'd have to do some more digging to see how his trades worked out
- Gabe Athaus

He seems similar to Rob Blake.

Eh, I've followed the hockey media long enough to not have the same faith as Botta in their sterling reputations

I'm not just talking about the rumor mongers, either. I've seen the most reputable ones play fast and loose with information. Maybe someone told Staple that, but I don't think it was Malkin or Collins. In his last article updating us on potential candidates, he cited "a variety of league sources," so this new information might have come to him from someone not even involved with the Islanders.
- UIF

There certainly seems to be different information coming from Staple, Botta, and Rosner.

Rosner is a kid and pretty new to all of this, even though he's a legitimate-enough reporter. He seems less bullish on the seriousness of the Lamoriello reports. From an article he posted this morning:

I know you all saw the report that Lamoriello could remain here in an advisory mentor role. I can’t sit here this morning and tell you, with certainly, that the report is false, but I don’t think it’s being considered right now.

Maybe it was something that was considered prior.

He seems similar to Rob Blake.
- ses111

This is the Jackets draft history. Jarmo was there from 2013 to 2024

https://www.hockeydb.com/...aft/teams/dr00005316.html

Notable later round picks include:

- Oliver Bjorkstrand in the 3rd round 2013
- Elvis Merzlikens in the 3rd round - 2014
- Stenlund in the 2nd round - 2015
- Kolesar in the 3rd round - 2015
- Gavrikov in the 6th round - 2015
- Nutivaara in the 7th round - 2015
- Marchenko in the 2nd round - 2018
- Voronkov in the 4th round - 2019

This is the Jackets draft history. Jarmo was there from 2013 to 2024

https://www.hockeydb.com/...aft/teams/dr00005316.html

Notable later round picks include:

- Oliver Bjorkstrand in the 3rd round 2013
- Elvis Merzlikens in the 3rd round - 2014
- Stenlund in the 2nd round - 2015
- Kolesar in the 3rd round - 2015
- Gavrikov in the 6th round - 2015
- Nutivaara in the 7th round - 2015
- Marchenko in the 2nd round - 2018
- Voronkov in the 4th round - 2019
- Gabe Athaus

So, a little better than Islander scouts. Does it seem the Islanders are having trouble finding a President? I'm fine with hiring Darche and letting him run things and report to Collins if needed.

So, a little better than Islander scouts. Does it seem the Islanders are having trouble finding a President? I'm fine with hiring Darche and letting him run things and report to Collins if needed.
- ses111

Seems to be the case if they were hoping for Gorton/Holland/Bergevin. Darche should really be the choice for GM.

Rosner also mentioned having Steve Pelligrini, who is a Lou-hire, being in-house option for the "mentor" role for a new GM. It seemed more like his own suggestion for a candidate rather than a report that he's being considered, but it's worth mentioning.

I'm not sure how I feel about Jarmo.
- ses111

I am very sure how I fell about him. That feeling is not good.

He seems to have drafted well enough, I'd have to do some more digging to see how his trades worked out
- Gabe Athaus

He had what eight years with the bluejackets? Never did sh!t with them. I’m not excited about him as our GM.

I am very sure how I fell about him. That feeling is not good.
- Cptmjl

I didn't think he did a terrible job with CBJ, but I don't think it was great either.

He certainly wasn't afraid to swing for the fences. He made blockbuster trades for Seth Jones, Panarin, and Laine. He was also AGM/Director of Scouting in St. Louis when they drafted Pietrangelo, Tarasenko, and Perron.

He had what eight years with the bluejackets? Never did sh!t with them. I’m not excited about him as our GM.
- Cptmjl

He brought in some real talent and definitely didn't sit idle. I don't know how much of his struggles stemmed from Columbus not being a desirable market for players or not, but I think that was at least part of the case.

I'm not his biggest fan, but I wouldn't completely hate the hire either if they went in that direction

There certainly seems to be different information coming from Staple, Botta, and Rosner.

Rosner is a kid and pretty new to all of this, even though he's a legitimate-enough reporter. He seems less bullish on the seriousness of the Lamoriello reports. From an article he posted this morning:

I know you all saw the report that Lamoriello could remain here in an advisory mentor role. I can’t sit here this morning and tell you, with certainly, that the report is false, but I don’t think it’s being considered right now.

Maybe it was something that was considered prior.
- Gabe Athaus

I think Staple remains well-connected to the Isles organization and Rosner likely has other connections there. As always with anything linked to Lou, misinformation is everywhere. Just going from what we know:

Lou was on a one year renewal deal that is scheduled to end on June 30th. Malkin and Ledecky have the utmost respect from Lou and didn't exactly appear to be hell-bent on pushing him out of the organization. Still, the organization did officially announce that Lou's contract as Prez and GM would not be renewed and John Collins would lead the task of hiring a replacement.
This isn't a split with animosity. Lou remains under contract with the organization until his contract expires. Word had supposedly leaked out that he wants to continue as a GM with another org, but he hasn't asked for permission to negotiate for open positions. (as far as we know).
So from this standpoint, he'll remain with the club until June 30th. That leaves plenty of room for speculation and misinterpreted news by 'sources'. Naturally since ownership has such a strong relationship with Lou, they may get his .02 on candidates. I don't think Lou will be like some force ghost visiting the GM to hang over them.
If this is going to work, it can't be Lou's people running the club from the bench to Bridgeport. It's got to be a complete evaluation and turnover, which means it has to happen quick. Anything less makes the job less attractive to perspective GMs.

I think Staple remains well-connected to the Isles organization and Rosner likely has other connections there. As always with anything linked to Lou, misinformation is everywhere. Just going from what we know:

Lou was on a one year renewal deal that is scheduled to end on June 30th. Malkin and Ledecky have the utmost respect from Lou and didn't exactly appear to be hell-bent on pushing him out of the organization. Still, the organization did officially announce that Lou's contract as Prez and GM would not be renewed and John Collins would lead the task of hiring a replacement.
This isn't a split with animosity. Lou remains under contract with the organization until his contract expires. Word had supposedly leaked out that he wants to continue as a GM with another org, but he hasn't asked for permission to negotiate for open positions. (as far as we know).
So from this standpoint, he'll remain with the club until June 30th. That leaves plenty of room for speculation and misinterpreted news by 'sources'. Naturally since ownership has such a strong relationship with Lou, they may get his .02 on candidates. I don't think Lou will be like some force ghost visiting the GM to hang over them.
If this is going to work, it can't be Lou's people running the club from the bench to Bridgeport. It's got to be a complete evaluation and turnover, which means it has to happen quick. Anything less makes the job less attractive to perspective GMs.
- keaner17

Getting Lou's two cents regarding potential hires is one thing but if he's going to remain on as a special advisor to the GM that is absolutely bat-poop crazy. They can't expect a new hire to come in and have Lou standing over his shoulder while he dismantles a lot of what Lou did. That would be dysfunctional beyond belief.

Frankly, I think it would be a failure to even take into account his two cents about potential hires. He no longer has the job because the work he did in recent years was largely a failure and put the team in a precarious situation moving forward. I'm not sure why you would terminate someone and then ask them for advice. I get it, he's a well-respected NHL executive but it's clear that his idea of how things should work is no longer relevant to today's game.

To me, it's sending massive mixed signals to the fan-base and the organization. Is he gone? Is he not gone? Is he kind of gone? What level of influence will he have on the GM search and/or the front office, if he is retained in some sort of advisory role? Will his ridiculous rules still remain in place? Does the new GM have full autonomy to do what he wants, regardless of what Lou says?

Either be done with him or don't. Waffling in the middle is a poor decision that will erase all the good will you earned with your fans by making the right decision.

Getting Lou's two cents regarding potential hires is one thing but if he's going to remain on as a special advisor to the GM that is absolutely bat-poop crazy. They can't expect a new hire to come in and have Lou standing over his shoulder while he dismantles a lot of what Lou did. That would be dysfunctional beyond belief.

Frankly, I think it would be a failure to even take into account his two cents about potential hires. He no longer has the job because the work he did in recent years was largely a failure and put the team in a precarious situation moving forward. I'm not sure why you would terminate someone and then ask them for advice. I get it, he's a well-respected NHL executive but it's clear that his idea of how things should work is no longer relevant to today's game.

To me, it's sending massive mixed signals to the fan-base and the organization. Is he gone? Is he not gone? Is he kind of gone? What level of influence will he have on the GM search and/or the front office, if he is retained in some sort of advisory role? Will his ridiculous rules still remain in place? Does the new GM have full autonomy to do what he wants, regardless of what Lou says?

Either be done with him or don't. Waffling in the middle is a poor decision that will erase all the good will you earned with your fans by making the right decision.
- Gabe Athaus

I wholeheartedly agree with you. Fish or cut bait.

If they keep Lou on, will his rule of not allowing players be on the spittin chicklets (or other podcasts) still be valid??? Crazy

I wholeheartedly agree with you. Fish or cut bait.

If they keep Lou on, will his rule of not allowing players be on the spittin chicklets (or other podcasts) still be valid??? Crazy
- kindlyrick

While I do agree not allowing guys to go on Chiclets is dumb, there appears to be several (or more) teams in the league that don't allow their players on there. I kinda get it, it's PR russian roulette. Lou may have been the first (I honestly have no idea) to prohibit his players from doing it, but there are plenty of others.

I can't imagine they'd consider this. Who would eagerly jump at a leadership position in any industry if the person they're replacing is still around nitpicking their decisions or having any sort of influence over the process? If it's a new person coming in over the GM, that's one thing, but someone who had the job and was, for all intents and purposes, replaced, and who has all his people entrenched there...it's difficult if not impossible to avoid friction unless everyone involved has absolutely no ego whatsoever.

"OK, we need to take this thing in a whole new direction" *looks to the corner of the room and sees Lou's angry old man glare*

I guess if he didn't just make it up, Staple had to get it from someone, but I don't think the reporting is accurate.
- UIF

Unfortunately, there is precedent with this team. Just look at the Snow/Lamoriello transition. I know there were timing issues involved but that whole situation couldn't have been smooth.