Lamoriello Speaks to Media

New York Islanders President and General Manager Lou Lamoriello spoke with the media on Wednesday morning, affirming his belief in the group, despite the team's 2-7-3 stretch.
"I still believe the way I did at the beginning of the summer," Lamoriello said. "We've all seen more indication to what we can do when we're playing to our abilities. Also, we have had some injuries, key injuries at different times, but I'm not a believer in excuses. These are facts. Hindsight and hypotheticals will never get you anywhere."

That doesn't mean Lamoriello doesn't share some concern with the team's play of late, particularly the lack of offense. The Islanders have scored 17 goals in their last 10 games and do not have a third period goal in that span.
"Unfortunately, there's been some inconsistency," Lamoriello said. "There have been individual situations at different times that has caused the inconsistency."

A prime example of the inconsistency that has plagued the team was Monday's 5-2 loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs. The Islanders played what Head Coach Lane Lambert called one of their best periods of the month, but that was followed up by a second period that saw the Maple Leafs score four goals and the Islanders give up three breakaways - and a penalty shot.
Lamoriello said the number of breakaways against the Maple Leafs was an "anomaly" for what's been a largely stingy Islanders team over the GM's tenure. Lamoriello said he has "total confidence" in Lambert, who is in his first year as a Head Coach after serving as an Associate Coach with the team for the previous four seasons.
"Our coaching staff has done as good a job as you could possibly ask," the GM said. "I have no reservations there whatsoever. And we have to make sure that the mistakes that do occur, that we minimize them and capitalize on other people's mistakes."
Lamoriello acknowledged the fan's frustrations with the team's recent play.
"We've got fantastic fans. I love our fans because they let you know what they like and they let you know what they don't like. And I don't think there's anything wrong with it," Lamoriello said. "I welcome that… It's right for them to be upset."

While the Islanders have been plagued by injuries this year, Lamoriello said he was happy with the play of his young players, who have stepped into different roles in the lineup.
"That's been a bright spot," Lamoriello said. "With each one of the players that have come up they fill the role and whatever's been asked of them… Each and every one of them in a different way, have handled every situation the way we would have liked to have them handle it, and also giving us an indication that they're not far away from, you know, being a significant factor in our lineup."
When asked about making trades, both in the offseason and midseason, Lamoriello said he would continue to evaluate moves that would benefit the team in the short and long term.
"If we can make ourselves better, whether it had been yesterday or the day before or today or tomorrow, we will definitely do that," Lamoriello said. "There's no excuses because it's on me, totally on me. That's my responsibility to make us the best we possibly can to make whatever changes we can. It's not on the coaching staff that's on players and I take that responsibility. And it's making it happen. And the there's a lot of reasons why sometimes you can and you can't and those are decisions you have to make, but I take full responsibility for what the changes are or not."