Leafs: GM Lamoriello shut out of the trades but sticking with the ‘process’
CHICAGO— The Vegas Golden Knights are stocked, the trade market is lively and general managers throughout the NHL were walking away from the entry draft over the weekend unable to believe they got this guy at that spot.
“There’s no question you’re better because you have players that you now have as assets,” Maple Leafs general manager Lou Lamoriello said. “We’re better. Every team is better.”
Welcome to the NHL’s funny season.
No one has lost a game in a while. Optimism brims throughout. And the fun continues this week, with teams able to negotiate with unrestricted free agents, perhaps getting deals in place for July 1 when the frenzy of free-agent movement begins.
“You always want to make your team better,” Lamoriello said. “That’s our responsibility. There wasn’t a transaction that took place. You go back home and get ready.”
The Leafs aren’t a whole lot different than they were a week ago before the double-draft week, still needing to shore up their defence while looking for a backup goalie.
Toronto lost forward prospect Bren- dan Leipsic in the expansion draft but gained seven players in the entry draft, led by Swedish defenceman Timothy Liljegren.
The Leafs discussed a couple of moves that failed to transpire. There was talk they were offering James van Riemsdyk and a first-round pick for Islanders defenceman Travis Hamonic, who eventually was shuffled to Calgary. And the Leafs were said to be trying to get defenceman Colin Miller, taken from Boston by Vegas in the expansion draft.
“You, as an organization, have to determine what price you will pay for a player you think can help you,” Lamoriello said. “Then you weigh how it affects what philosophy you have and the future. Every transaction you make is for today, with tomorrow in sight.
“We’re in a process. We’re not going to try to jumpstart anything. We’re going to allow it to take its course. But if along the way we can get better without burning the future, we’re going to do that.”