Lou Lamoriello has been called many things during his tenure as GM of the New Jersey Devils, but one name that has never been lobbed his way is dumb.
A few days ago, after reading about the insane 17-year deal that Lamoriello offered Ilya Kovalchuk, I thought, “Man, that is dumb.” Last evening the NHL rejected that 17-year, $102 million contract.
I am of the opinion that Lamoriello knew all along that the contract would be rejected.
The Kovalchuk deal flew in the face of New Jersey Devils tradition. Lamoriello has always built that team without spending insane money on free agents or trades. The Devils have let players walk in the past instead of overpay them, players that others thought were indispensable or lifetime Devils. Why would Lamoriello destroy the tradition of “team first” that he had built over that last 20-plus years?
Lamoriello is one of the most astute GMs in the history of the NHL, having won three Stanley Cups. This feat is even more impressive when you realize that La ...
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Article written by Trent Reinsmith