Playoffs may tell future of Leafs’ GM Lamoriello

There seemed to be something of an irony in the air, when the GMs of two of hockey’s most storied franchises surveyed their clubs during a game between the two teams Saturday in Toronto.

The Leafs’ Lou Lamoriello and Montreal’s Marc Bergervin are highly respected in the NHL, but it was Bergevin who was the first to receive a vote of confidence last week from Canadiens owner Geoff Molson.

Lamoriello — who’s been the overseer of the Leafs rise from one of the worst teams to one of the best — likely doesn’t need a vote of confidence, as much as he needs clarification.

Yet, Leafs president Brendan Shanahan will keep Lamoriello’s future with the franchise out of the realm of public knowledge until the season is over.

According to a report on the Hockey Night in Canada broadcast Saturday, Shanahan hasn’t even spoken to Lamoriello about his contract and future with the club, nor those who could be most directly affected by it.

That’s probably wise for two reasons: One, Shanahan, like Lamoriello, and the rest of the hockey operations staff, are still evaluating the roster. And that will include its performance in the playoffs, good or bad.

Win or lose that first round, Lamoriello’s three year contract is up. It is believed it could lead to another executive, advisory-type role, as he doesn’t appear to be slowing down at all at age 74.

But a decision could affect more key hockey operations people than Lamoriello.

Consensus thinking sees Kyle Dubas taking over as GM, now that he’s spent three years as an assistant, and GM of a superblyrun Marlies team. As well, there is a wealth of top hockey men, including Mark Hunter and Brandon Pridham; senior adviser Cliff Fletcher, director of team operations Brad Lynn, director of hockey and scouting operations Reid Mitchell, and director of player evaluation Jim Paliafito.

And there are nine members of the coaching staff, seven in player development, five in hockey R&D and 19 in medical, equipment and media.

Chief among that large collection of strong hockey minds is Hunter. If there is any one the Leafs can’t afford to risk as collateral damage in any GM decision its Hunter.

Don Cherry recently spoke of the AAA hockey games he goes to in the GTA, and he mentioned that the only NHL executive he regularly sees at the grassroots rinks is Hunter.

Hunter already has a rock solid reputation built around his dedication to his craft. He’s one of the pre-eminent talent evaluators, and when he’s combined with all the levels of scouting, it’s the reason the Leafs have done extremely well in the last several NHL drafts.

Shanahan clearly has a delicate balancing act in hand, when he makes his decision on Lamoriello and the future of the Leafs GM position.

Interestingly, Lamoriello and Detroit’s Ken Holland are the only two NHL GM’s with expiring contracts this summer.

Holland has obvious links (via Detroit) to Leafs coach Mike Babcock, and speculation about Holland’s future is already a hot topic of conversation in Toronto and elsewhere.

But there is only one Lou Lamoriello. He believes in people, and has connected with some current Leafs as far back as their early teen years.

Whatever he decides, or what Shanahan decides, it will be important to ensure that legacy carries on.