Lou Lamoriello out as Devils GM

Dobber

2015-05-04

Lou

Fantasy Impact: Lou Lamoriello has stepped down as General Manager of the New Jersey Devils and Ray Shero is hired to fill the role.

Lou will remain with the team as President, but Shero will take the reins. Finding and hiring a new coach will be Shero’s decision to make. Will the former Pittsburgh GM have far to look? His former partner Dan Bylsma is still a free agent.

Shero will then take that glut of quality prospect defensemen and use them to fill needs. While in Pittsburgh he traded Ryan Whitney (to acquire Chris Kunitz), Alex Goligoski and Joe Morrow (James Neal). Don’t be surprised to see one of the “Big 4” young defensemen traded by the Devils this summer in order to fill a need. Especially considering Larsson and Gelinas are both RFAs.

Potentially, there could be a lot of housecleaning this summer. And with a new GM around for the first time in decades, this is New Jersey’s chance to stop being so loyal. Michael Ryder, Scott Gomez, Jordin Tootoo, Steve Bernier and Martin Havlat are the forwards who are set to become UFAs. Tuomo Ruutu has just one year left at $5 million – a buyout candidate. And if Ryane Clowe (three more years at $4.85M per) is put on long-term IR, the Shero will have a clean slate with which to work with.

Some interesting times ahead, and I think it will be a busy summer right off the bat.