Lou Lamoriello this morning resigned as Devils President and was subsequently "named the new general manager" of the Maple Leafs, according to Mike Johnston of SPORTSNET.ca. Lamoriello will be introduced by the Maple Leafs today at 2:00pm ET. He had "spent 28 years with the Devils franchise," winning three Stanley Cups. Lamoriello in early May "stepped down as Devils GM but remained president of the club as Ray Shero was brought in." Lamoriello was Devils President when the team drafted now-Leafs President Brendan Shanahan second overall in the '87 draft (SPORTSNET.ca, 7/23). In Toronto, Lance Hornby notes the Maple Leafs had been "going with an interim GM duo of Mark Hunter and Kyle Dubas, who both have expertise in scouting and junior development." This means Lamoriello's role "might be concentrated on exclusive NHL matters" (TORONTOSUN.com, 7/23). The CP's Stephen Whyno writes the Maple Leafs hiring Lamoriello is "the stunner of the NHL off season." The Leafs in their new GM "get veteran experience and someone who has the relationships around the league that could benefit in trade talks." Lamoriello's hiring is the "latest piece of an organizational makeover," as the Maple Leafs in May "hired Mike Babcock as coach on an eight-year contract" (CP, 7/23).
