Lou Lamoriello’s Contract Not Renewed by New York Islanders

UNIONDALE, New York – The New York Islanders announced today that Lou Lamoriello’s contract as President and General Manager will not be renewed, ending a tenure that began in May 2018. The decision comes as the team has struggled in recent seasons, missing the playoffs in the 2024-25 season.

Operating Partner John Collins will lead the search for Lamoriello’s successor, the team stated. The Islanders expressed their gratitude to Lamoriello in a statement, thanking him for his commitment over the past seven years. ‘His dedication to the team is in line with his Hall of Fame career,’ the statement read.

Lamoriello, 82, guided the Islanders during a successful stretch, including back-to-back semifinal appearances in the 2019-20 and 2020-21 seasons. However, his reign saw a decline in recent years, beginning with the team’s move to the UBS Arena.

The Islanders failed to reach the playoffs in 2021-22 and only made it to the first round in the subsequent two seasons. The team’s lack of success in the new arena contributed to Lamoriello’s departure.

Despite his previous successes, including three Stanley Cup wins with the New Jersey Devils, Lamoriello’s decisions were frequently scrutinized. He retained 14 players from the 2021 semifinal roster, leading to criticism when those players performed poorly compared to past seasons.

As the Islanders move forward, the fate of head coach Patrick Roy and assistant general managers remains uncertain. The team’s disappointing finish, finishing with a record of 35-35-12, was deemed unacceptable by ownership, which led to the leadership change.

Lamoriello’s legacy with the Islanders includes significant achievements; however, his later years resulted in lackluster performance. With a search for a new general manager underway, the Islanders hope to revitalizetheir fortunes in the coming seasons.