»‘In Lou we trust,’ said Islanders owner Jon Ledecky of Lamoriello«
Jon Ledecky, the owner of the Islanders, has never wavered in his support for Lou Lamoriello. Not one bit.
Before the Islanders’ 2-1 shootout loss to the Stars, Ledecky stated, “It’s written on top of the owner’s club: In Lou, we trust.” “That is your job. You must fully support your family members. You cannot vacillate. There is an established plan. He must carry out the plan.”
Lamoriello assumed control of the Islanders’ hockey operations prior to the 2018-19 season and has had virtually complete authority over the team since then. In October, the Hall of Fame executive turned 80 years old and has shown no signs of slowing down.
Ledecky, who was present to recognize the 1 millionth fan to attend a game at UBS Arena, dodged a question regarding Lamoriello’s contract, which is in its fifth season.
“It’s not my job to discuss hockey,” Ledecky stated. “My responsibility is to ensure that this structure functions properly and that the fans enjoy the best experience possible.
“The owner who becomes the general manager or who believes he is the general manager has a fool for a client. We give it to Lou and let him do his job, which is what he is attempting to do. We strive to win a game every day.”
After a poor 2021-22 season and a summer in which the only notable deal was the acquisition of defenseman Alexander Romanov, the fan base has criticized Lamoriello. The Islanders entered Tuesday’s contest with a 22-17-2 record, tied with the Penguins for the final playoff place in the Eastern Conference.
“Every team experiences ups and downs, and every team deals with injuries,” Ledecky added. “It’s all in good fun. I simply admire the team’s resiliency and tenacity. I appreciate the fact that we can bring up players from [AHL] Bridgeport and they’re immediately ready to play in the system. We’ve been pleasantly surprised by how effectively those individuals have blended in and performed.”
UBS Arena, which debuted in November 2021, was a triumph for a club that tried for years to find a suitable replacement for Nassau Coliseum. Ledecky was thrilled to meet Jennifer Belechto, the one millionth fan, whose family from Islip was attending their first game at the venue.
After missing the playoffs last season, the basic minimum for success for the team on the ice is to return to the postseason. Ledecky, on the other hand, will refrain from passing judgment on his general manager.
“The standard is that Lou is in the Hall of Fame and has won GM of the Year twice, whereas I am neither,” said Ledecky. “Nor is co-owner Scott Malkin. When someone has such a track record, you allow them to do their job.
After missing six games due to a knee injury, Simon Holmstrom returns to the lineup and plays 12:55. Mathew Barzal (lower body) played nearly 22 minutes after being sidelined in Calgary with a “tweak,” as described by coach Lane Lambert.
»‘In Lou we trust,’ said Islanders owner Jon Ledecky of Lamoriello«