Lou Lamoriello’s out for good, off to NYI

Monday afternoon was supposed to be a relaxing holiday, but in the middle of it dropped some news that wasn’t quite what it seemed at first. While this bombshell seemed like it could mean a superstar was heading to the 416…

… Friedman clarified in a follow up tweet that it actually meant that it was Lou doing the work on behalf of the New York Islanders.

The Athletic’s Arthur Staple confirmed the story here, noting that Lou’s son Chris already holds a role as assistant GM and that Lou would be named as the team’s president of hockey operations. While it was reported that Lou had an opportunity to stay in Toronto as a senior advisor, it seems like he’ll be seeing greener pastures on the other side of the Eastern Conference. The move is sure to rustle the feathers of a few rival New Jersey Devils fans, where Lou spent the better part of four separate decades as their GM.

If it’s the end of the road, Lamoriello ends his tenure in Toronto with a pair of playoff berths, one  opportunity to introduce the guy who drafted Auston Matthews, and a mentorship of Kyle Dubas, who was named the team’s GM earlier this month.

If it’s not the end of the road, what the hell is Lou doing? And will his crazy moves pay off with Tavares ending up in Toronto?

Update: