from Neil Best of Newsday,

The Islanders’ president made another one on Monday, an even bigger one than the last.

By parting ways with coach Barry Trotz, saying the team “needs a new voice,” Lamoriello further put himself on the line as the better-be-right decision-maker for a core group whose last hurrah could well be the 2022-23 season.

Not that Lamoriello is intimidated or even concerned by such things. The guy has won three Stanley Cups, will turn 80 shortly after next season begins and has the self-confidence of a piranha.

But Lamoriello has put himself in the spotlight as he ponders what might be his last coaching hire, in hopes said coach can lead what might be his last Cup contender to the finish line.

It’s a lot. But to Lamoriello’s credit, he took full responsibility for the move in a conference call with reporters, saying he told no one about it other than ownership. He scoffed at the notion that he consulted with players.

“I would never even consider thinking of anything like that,” he said. “This decision is on the knowledge that I have of the experiences I’ve had and also going forward as far as what I think and feel is best for this group to have success.”

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