from Larry Brooks of the New York Post,

After what seemed a lifetime as grand emperor of the Devils, Lou Lamoriello made his first appearance at the Garden on Friday as general manager of the Maple Leafs.

“Re-energized is a good word [for how I feel],” Lamoriello said before his team was beaten 3-1 by the Blueshirts. “But that’s because of the challenge there.

“Toronto is Toronto. Toronto is hockey. I don’t apologize for saying that,” the GM said. “Toronto should be the Yankees of the NHL. That’s my feeling.”...

Lamoriello acted as sheriff, mayor and justice of the peace in New Jersey. But in Toronto, Shanahan is president. Mike Babcock, in place when Lamoriello was hired, is the coach whom the GM will not be firing.

“I’ve known Mike for a long time; you can throw Brendan in there, too,” Lamoriello said. “They’re very secure in their own skin.

“Everyone has an opinion, but as far as what people think and do, no one can ever come between the three of us.”

a bit more