When announcing the signing of Ilya Kovalchuk to a 17-year, $102 million contract Devils GM Lou Lamoriello and team owner Jeff Vanderbeek were all smiles. However, there may be some tension hiding behind the grins and laughter.
It is no secret that Lamoriello and former team owner, the late John McMullen formed a mutual admiration society. One does not get the same warm and fuzzy feeling between Lamoriello and current Devils owner Jeff Vanderbeek.
John McMullen owned the Devils for 18 years. McMullen and Lamoriello took the losing Devils, once famously referred to by Wayne Gretzky as "a Mickey-Mouse operation" and built them into one of the most respected teams in the NHL. McMullen and Lamoriello won two Stanley Cups together before the team was sold to YankeeNets for $175 million.
In 2004, Jeff Vanderbeek purchased the Devils. Lamoriello was left in charge and won a third Stanley Cup with the franchise in 2003.
Lou Lamoriello has been with the Devils since 1987. He is currently the longest serving GM in the NHL. One could argue that the most recognizable and well known Devils are Scott Stevens, Martin Broudeur ...
Read Full Article at Bleacher Report - NHL
Article written by Trent Reinsmith
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