Kukla's Korner Hockey
The Final Years Of Lou Lamoriello In New Jersey
by Paul on 07/23/15 at 05:20 PM ET
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from Rich Chere of NJ.com,
Lamoriello should be applauded for what he did in his 28 years with the Devils, including five trips to the Stanley Cup Final, but he paved his own way out the door once ownership changed.
Here's why:
1. He stonewalled upper management's marketing attempts
As long as he was winning Stanley Cups and has past owners' support, Lamoriello was allowed to refuse attempts to market the team through use of players, fan events and alternate jerseys. However, once the team became an also-ran four out of the last five seasons and dollars-conscious owners moved in, he was a roadblock.
Ownership tried to ease Lamoriello into the modern world, but he fought it and continued to keep practices closed, argued against marketing ideas and even handcuffed the organization's own website from covering the team more extensively.
2. Stumbled as a general manager
Age wasn't the reason Lamoriello was nudged out as GM. It was because he seemed to lose his touch. His recent track record of free agent signings was not good, signing several players for more than they were worth. He also created roster situations that hamstrung coaches like John MacLean.
Filed in: NHL Teams, New Jersey Devils, | KK Hockey | Permalink
Tags: lou+lamoriello
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Paul Kukla founded Kukla’s Korner in 2005 and the site has since become the must-read site on the ‘net for all the latest happenings around the NHL.
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