Report: Lamoriello to be relieved of business operations' responsibilities

According to a report in today's edition of Street & Smith's SportsBusiness Journal, the Devils have hired an executive search firm to aid then in hiring the team's first executive of business operations. The move would relieve longtime team president, CEO and general manager Lou Lamoriello of his business responsibilties and free him to focus exclusively on the hockey side of team operations.

The report states that the Devils are seeking an individual with "extensive experience managing a sports' franchise' business operations. The Devils hired the executive search firm of James and Co. to field candidates. Devils owner Jeff Vanderbeek is hoping the move will help the team increase revenue.

Lamoriello declined comment when I called him earlier this evening.

Lamoriello will continue to represent the Devils on the Board of Governors and sit on the NHL's excecutive committee.

 

Comments

[Steve]

What does this mean?

[Baggy Spandex]

Well, Steve, hopefully it means Lou will be 100% dedicated to the team on the ice now, instead of doing that and worrying about the PruCenter etc...

Hopefully it was Lou's decision as well.

[Mike O.]

First they hire a PR guru...now this?? Are they actually going to start to promote this team and make $$$$????

[Matt]

This could be good, no longer worring about the money aspect. Now he can focus on players, there's a salary cap so It won't matter to him what they are making. Just as long as he stays under cap.

[njdevsfn95]

Let's face it, the Devils are making a killing off of just these 4 playoff games (more to come, of course - :) ). 4 straight "sell-outs" but regardless there have been lots of fans in the building buying all sorts of concessions and souvenirs.

it certainly seems like the franchise is turning profitable and in todays economy, it would seem like a lot for Lou to focus on not only how to run the team from a personnel standpoint but also a money-making point as well.

he can focus on keeping the team in good shape which will always draw fans...and perhaps someone new can reinvigorate the marketing of this team which is sorely needed!!

[D Hoch 08]

I think this move has definite potential if it truly does help Lou focus more of his time on just the hockey operation. Also, quick question everyone, do they still sell the cheap seats a couple hours before the game? If so, how early do you think we need to show up for them???

[Drew]

I have a few suggestions to increase profit and fans.

First off, they need to fix the food, it went to crap this year. Last year it was decent, this year it is WORSE than when they played in the Meadowlands. They did away with some good food as well, which is frustrating.

Secondly, the prices in the gift shop as far as Jerseys are insane. 225 for a Jersey is way too much. They don't cost that much and they could easily sell them for 100 instead and they would make some more $$.

Finally, they should lower ticket prices and if they don't want to do that they should do more college game nights and increase the amount of 10$ tickets as you would rather sell tickets than not.

Just some thoughts. :D

[A Local Fan]

This is interesting. Does anyone think Lou Lams GM duties will soon come to an end? I mean he has giving contracts to Mogilny, McGillis, Malakhov, Zubrus, Rolston, Pandolfo etc. While others have left under his watch the last few years like Nieds, Gomez, Raffy. I know what Lou has done for this organization but every good thing comes to an end. Lou is at the end. He is out of touch with today's NHL. I know he has had other duties but his drafting and free agent disasters have set this team back. I want Bouwmeester and I no longer feel Lou is the guy to get him in a Devils uniform. Lou thanks for everything but it's time to go.

[mSp]

that title took me back for a second... I thought Lou was getting the boot. In Lou we Trust.

[Zorin]

@Drew

Avoid the gift shop, especially for a jersey. Order online, NHL.com. See link for updated seating prices. http://devils.nhl.com/tickets/seatingmap.htm

[DCdevil]

Get over yourself...he kept the greatest goaltender in jerz and drafted zajac and the 3rd highest goal scorer in the NHL this season. I have a feeling years from now were gonna be dreaming of the glory days when lou lams ran the team.

[A Local Fan]

Lou is overrated anyways, but I still love my Devils! Go Devils and Rangers in game 7!

[Brandon]

Go Rangers!

[Phil]

Lou is considered one of the greatest GMs in all of sports. Ask anyone, even smart ranger fans.

[Braddock]

Loooooong overdue. It'll be even funnier after the loss tomorrow and Sutter heads to Edmonton. 11K paid attendance in game 1 and the rest of the crowd was comped tells you all you need to know.

[AGIV]

As long as Lou stays and runs the hockey side of things, I am fine with this.

I do think this will usher in many changes on the business side, for example, the devils will probably get a third jersey... Lou has always been against them because he thinks they are just used by teams to make more money from the fans.. so he does feel for the fans.

Some of the problems with the food and things in the arena are probably due to the catering company, not because Lou said get cheaper chicken fingers... but I agree some of the food has been crap.

Lou is the best GM in the game, and is often regarded as the best gm in sports. Yes we have lost some people along the way, but think about it, if we had paid some of those stars the money they were after, would couldn't afford to keep our stars like Parise, Zajac, etc. Yes some deals are tough to stomach.. but remember, he has made some moves that were genious... 2003 Trade Deadline we get Grant Marshall and Shmelak and look Stanley Cup Champions; he didn't trade away the future for one star...

I will be scared if Lou leaves... You know Lou would never make the Sather mistakes of Gomez, Drury, Redden, etc. we should be thankful for what we have

[A Local Fan]

HEY TG WHEN IS BRANDON GONNA BE BANNED FOR USING MY NAME? IT'S OBVIOUS ITS HIM BECAUSE HIS POSTS ARE UNCREATIVE AND THEY SUCK.

[Tapiolevo09]

TG- If you had to guess would you say this is something Lou is pleased/disappointed about?

[A Local Fan]

Ken Holland is the best GM in hockey not Lou. We need our GM to hit free agency and get us a Mercedes (Bouwmeester) and not another Pinto (Havelid). Lou has to go or this team is in trouble. This current team is old and won't get out of the 1st round. How is Lou the best, today? Not 10 years ago.

[ZuljinRaynor]

mSp, I thought Lou was getting the boot aswell at first.

Let's go Devils! (And Caps.)

[Drew]

@ ZuljinRaynor

Do you really want to have to play Washington with them having home ice or would you rather play Pittsburgh and have home ice? It is a tough choice as if we can get past Carolina it is going to be interesting on who we play.

[Put It THis Way]

This is interesting. Does anyone think Lou Lams GM duties will soon come to an end? I mean he has giving contracts to Mogilny, McGillis, Malakhov, Zubrus, Rolston, Pandolfo etc. While others have left under his watch the last few years like Nieds, Gomez, Raffy. I know what Lou has done for this organization but every good thing comes to an end. Lou is at the end. He is out of touch with today's NHL. I know he has had other duties but his drafting and free agent disasters have set this team back. I want Bouwmeester and I no longer feel Lou is the guy to get him in a Devils uniform. Lou thanks for everything but it's time to go.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>><<<<<<<<<<<<<<
No. To the whole post.

Lou is still the most respected and BEST General manager out of all North American sports. Can you exactly describe those " drafting disasters " ?

Hmm the past years we drafted parise..zajac...?
I dont see any failures. Come on now. IN LOU- WE TRUST

[Mike]

$49 season tix in the lower bowl next season? Will be great to not see those empty seats on tv anymore

[Tapiolevo09]

I'm a big fan of Lou, however outside of Parise and Zajac the draft has not been a strong area for the Devils in recent years. All hockey prospect rating publications have consistently rated the Devils at the bottom of the league for many years now. Of course this is partly due to the fact that the Devils have not had an awful/lottery type season since the early 90's. Lou always gave credit to draft guru David Conte for the Devils draft success. Therefore, to be fair Conte should be accountable for the blame of drafts that produced the following:
2002 D Kadeykin 2nd round (first D's pick that year), 2001 C Adrian Foster 1st round, 2000 D David Hale 1st round, 1999 G Ahonen 1st round, 1997 G Damphousse 1st round, 1996 D Lance Ward 1st round..10th overall pick! More recently...From the 2005, 2006 and 2007 drafts only the following players have appeared in Devil games: Bergfors (1st round pick 05), Mark Fraser, Patrick Davis and Matt Halischuk.

[Mike]

I can't really respect any of ALF's complaints about Jersey management knowing he's a Rag fan. Hopefully they get a good PR guy and promote the team. Would be nice to see some more fans filling the Rock.