The dissatisfaction of some New York Islanders fans with their general manager Lou Lamoriello is palpable, but he continues to enjoy the trust of his players.
Despite a more than acceptable record of 5-3-3 at the start of the season, several spectators explicitly called for the 81-year-old’s departure during Tuesday’s 4-2 defeat at the UBS Arena, chanting “Lou must go.” Evening.
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And for good reason: Their favorites were disappointing for two seasons, didn’t make the playoffs in 2022 and were eliminated in the first round last year. The Islanders had previously reached the conference finals twice in a row, losing each time to the Tampa Bay Lightning.
However, if we go by what the team’s players say, this is absolutely not the mindset that prevails in the locker room. On the contrary, trust in the big boss of the “islands” is still very much there.
“Lou is our guy,” Mathew Barzal explained in a New York Post op-ed. He still has this team and the interests of this organization [à cœur]. I have a lot of trust in him and also in this group. It’s just stupid.”
“Everyone is free to express their opinion, but I don’t think we’re in a position to do that,” defense attorney Ryan Pulock said.
Do it better
However, the latter is aware that he and his teammates have to do more on the ice.
“We know we have to get better,” the 29-year-old guard continued. We know we have to win more games. But we have confidence in this group. We know this group can do it. I think from management to the coaching staff to the players, everyone is on the same page and everyone has confidence in what we’re doing here.
The Islanders skaters had the opportunity to put their money where their mouth was on Thursday against the Boston Bruins.