from Ethan Sears of the New York Post,
Chris King and Greg Picker will only travel to games against the Devils, Rangers and Flyers — all of which are driving distance — and call the other 36 road games remotely. Newsday was first to report the news.
Outside of the COVID-19-induced hiatus, when nearly all of sports media halted travel, King and Picker have regularly been on the road, including last season....
Since the Islanders’ TV and radio crews don’t travel on the team charter — one of general manager Lou Lamoriello’s rules — there is a significant added cost that most other teams do not have.
Last season, the Maple Leafs, Flames and Canucks’ radio broadcasts did not travel, nor did the English language broadcast for the Canadiens.
There's a noticeable difference when they are calling the game from a studio vs an arena. It's unfortunate for islanders fans.
Why doesn't Lou want them to travel with the team?
I kinda feel like if Lou didn't have the succeessful past he'd get pushed out of the league for crap like the facial hair policy and who knows what else he requires. Hang it up, Lou. Retire to Florida and join some condo board and go wild with all the crazy rules you want to enforce.
https://www.sportsnet.ca/nhl/a...
https://twitter.com/RobinLehne...
I struggle at times with Lou's rules etc. I hated the home openers where there is no glitz or no event which is remotely interesting. Other teams ( NY Yankees for one) have rules on hair and facial hair. But where I understand them is when others who have to follow them comment on them. He does give latitude to veterans at times (for uniform numbers and the like)
But the link above is to Brian Burke explaining "Lou's rules" and the second link was to a tweet by Robin Lehner in his return game to Long Island (can't recall if he was on CHI or Vegas) and he shaved his beard as a visiting team member and cited "Lou's Rules". He was so fond of Lou. The Burke article is very illuminating - he credits Lou with his being in Hockey.
I discount those who complain about it. One writer was citing Bo Horvat not being allowed to wear 53 on the Islanders because Lou would not permit it. Not true. Casey Cizikas has worn that number for 10 years on Long Island.
The no beard policy is not in effect for the playoffs. He is old school - but the hockey world is filled with ex players and employees who are very fond of Lou. The times I have met him - he was very nice to us. I met him a long time ago at the Brendan Byrne Arena (Meadowlands) and we had a group sale for work and he was a great host - he popped by and said hi to us.
He does not allow the media to travel with the team. I believe that it's to keep at arms length the media from the players. The players can relax on the plane and the media can't have access to the players and write articles about them being grumpy and starting trouble. I think its a reasonable rule by and large. I remember around the holidays one season - Lou would not let the media travel (can't recall but I think it was New Year's eve) and the owners sent a plane so that broadcasters Brendan Burke, Shannon Hogan and Butch Goring could return home to be with their families in time for the ball drop.
When he retires - IF he retires :) --- he will be missed. He personally (with new owners) turned the culture of the team around. The article is not about whether he is still a good GM. That's a different debate!
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