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Is this Hall of Fame GM giving the Sabres a second chance?

Lou Lamoriello was spotted walking through Buffalo Niagara airport on Wednesday after recent talks with the Sabres. Is he giving them another chance?
ByZackary Laware|
Jan 8, 2010; Newark, NJ, USA; New Jersey Devils CEO, president, and general manager Lou Lamoriello speaks at a press conference following the game against the Tampa Bay Lightning at the Prudential Center. The game was postponed with 9:12 left in the 2nd due to a lighting problem with the Lightning leading 3-0. Mandatory Credit: Ed Mulholland-Imagn Images
Jan 8, 2010; Newark, NJ, USA; New Jersey Devils CEO, president, and general manager Lou Lamoriello speaks at a press conference following the game against the Tampa Bay Lightning at the Prudential Center. The game was postponed with 9:12 left in the 2nd due to a lighting problem with the Lightning leading 3-0. Mandatory Credit: Ed Mulholland-Imagn Images | Ed Mulholland-Imagn Images

The Sabres are still working on putting pieces together with their front office for next season to help Kevyn Adams. Legendary GM Lou Lamoriello was mentioned as a candidate for the Senior Advisor role. Lamoriello was spotted at Buffalo Niagara airport yesterday morning, some say he was renewing his NEXUS, which allows easier access into Canada. Others think he went back for a second meeting with the Sabres.

After missing the Stanley Cup Playoffs, the New York Islanders decided not to renew the contract of 82-year-old Lamoriello after seven seasons. Lamoriello and Ken Holland were the main targets, but Holland recently took a job as the LA Kings' GM. Now there aren’t many options left at GM, and I don’t see Lamoriello ending up in one of those spots.

The Sabres are a franchise in complete frustration and need a sense of direction, especially with three general managers in the last 11 years. They’re also the current holders of the NHL’s longest playoff drought, having last qualified in 2011, which resulted in a series loss to the Philadelphia Flyers.

How could Lamoriello fit in with the Sabres?

Lamoriello had said he only wanted to be a part of a team if he was given some sort of day-to-day operations control with the team. The Senior Advisor role would have him working closely with Adams, but not much control. But what about the Assistant GM spot?

I mentioned in an article one week ago today that the Sabres wanted to make a managerial shakeup. It was revealed in that article that current Assistant GM Jason Karmanos did not attend his exit interview and is looking elsewhere for a front office job.

Karmanos has been fantastic since joining the Sabres. He helped build their farm system into one of the best in the league and has helped draft NHL-ready players over the last four years. However, not getting promoted over Adams for that GM spot is the reason for his frustrations, and I think his exit in Buffalo.

Now steps in Lamoriello, who could fill the role as Assistant GM and have good control of the operations. He would not only work with the Adams, but he could develop and draft the young talent that comes through Rochester. Lamoriello did a great job with this as he helped create the current core for the Maple Leafs.



If Lamoriello does get hired for the Assistant GM position, I could easily see him taking over for Adams next year. With Lamoriello coming in, it could help change the landscape of the Sabres in the future.

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