NEWARK, N.J. -- New Jersey Devils co-owner Josh Harris said Friday he has every intention of contacting Lou Lamoriello to extend an invitation to attend the jersey retirement ceremony for goaltender Martin Brodeur on Feb. 9 at Prudential Center.
Lamoriello was Devils general manager for 28 seasons before joining the Toronto Maple Leafs on July 23. He was the architect of the three Stanley Cup championships with Brodeur, whose No. 30 will be retired prior to a game against the Edmonton Oilers.
"The situation with [Lamoriello] is great," Harris said. "There is no animosity on any side. Lou made a decision to go in a different direction with his career and we supported that and he supported us. So for sure Lou will be invited to that ceremony and it'll be up to him whether he attends."
Ray Shero replaced Lamoriello as Devils GM on May 4.
Harris, who became an owner and chairman of the Devils in August 2013, spoke prior to the season-opening game against the Winnipeg Jets. After not qualifying for the Stanley Cup Playoffs the past three seasons, New Jersey has reached the postseason once in the past five and has finished no higher than fourth in its division.
"We want to build the organization on and off the ice and enable a winner," Harris said. "It starts with bringing in the right coaching talent, player development people and scouts. But I'm not a patient man. When we lose, I don't have a good time. I want to win but am not willing to sacrifice our ultimate goal, which is to be an elite team, by making short-term decisions on or off the ice that will inhibit our ability to consistently compete for the Stanley Cup."