from Larry Brooks of the New York Post,

With Lamoriello all but gone and assistant GM Mark Hunter probably going as well with the ascension of Kyle Dubas to GM, that seems to be it for the team of rivals assembled in Toronto by president Brendan Shanahan that includes coach Mike Babcock.

Dubas is wicked smart and the right man at the right time to take over the NHL’s most progressive operation. But the dynamic with Babcock — who has five years at over $6 million remaining on his contract, reports to Shanahan and had no trouble drawing boundary lines that he would not permit even Lamoriello to cross the last three years — will be fascinating to watch.

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It makes no sense for Lou Lamoriello to join the Islanders unless ownership gives the commander-in-chief command of the franchise. Any other concept or job description would be fatally flawed.

That means that Lamoriello, who is expected to talk with Scott Malkin/Jon Ledecky in the wake of being eased into a do-nothing senior adviser’s role in Toronto a few days after the Leafs’ first-round elimination, must be given complete control of the hockey operation — regardless of whether he assumes the title of general manager and handles the day-to-day duties generally associated with the position.

Lamoriello must set the agenda for the department and must have final say over personnel decisions....