Lamoriello Views Jim Gregory Award as Full-Team Honor

Lou Lamoriello was humbled to win his second Jim Gregory Award in as many years, but the New York Islanders President and General Manager had an issue with the name being engraved.
If it were up to Lamoriello, the GM of the Year award would be awarded to the whole organization, as opposed to just the general manager. Lamoriello sees the award as a reflection from the entire team, from the players, to coaches, support staff, assistant GMs all the way up to ownership. He made sure to thank them all during his acceptance speech.

"Very humbling and yet difficult at the same time," Lamoriello said to Brian Burke during his acceptance speech. "This is an award which embraces whatever success the organization has had throughout the year. I accept this award on behalf of Scott Malkin and his partners who have given us all the resources over the past three years to have whatever success we've been able to accomplish."
Lamoriello is the first person to repeat as the GM of the Year, since the award was created in 2010.

In Lamoriello's third season as Islanders GM, the team went 32-17-7 this season and allowed the second-fewest goals (128) in the league. The Islanders have also gone back to the third round for a second-straight season after making a run to the Eastern Conference Final in the bubble last year.
While a majority of last year's team returned this season, Lamoriello made key additions that have contributed to the team's sustained success. Lamoriello was able to bring goalie Ilya Sorokin over to North America, where the rookie posted a 13-6-3 record with a 2.17 GAA, a .918 SV% and three shutouts. Sorokin also went 4-0 in the First Round of the playoffs, helping lead the Islanders past the Pittsburgh Penguins.
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When Islanders captain Anders Lee suffered a season-ending ACL injury, Lamoriello acquired reinforcements at the Trade Deadline, trading for Kyle Palmieri and Travis Zajac. Palmieri is tied for the team lead with seven playoff goals, while Zajac has brought versatility to the third line.

Lamoriello doesn't see those moves in a vacuum either, giving out praise to Assistant GMs Chris Lamoriello and Steve Pellegrini, as well as the scouting staff and hockey administration. Lamoriello also thanked the team's business ops for their efforts in reopening Nassau Coliseum safely.
The Islanders GM also made mention of the fans, who he's credited with helping boost the Islanders during his three seasons and especially during a raucous postseason run.
"In my opinion, the greatest fans in the NHL," Lamoriello said. "I want you to know we appreciate you, we thank you for the support you've given us, you are our seventh player."
In Lamoriello's mind, the Jim Gregory Award belongs to the team. And as nice as the honor is, the award Lamoriello and the Islanders are gunning for is still out there.