While the Islanders are still licking their wounds from losing their franchise player to Toronto, Lou Lamoriello is beginning the spin.
“Individuals win games, but teams win championships,” Lamoriello said on SiriusXM NHL on Thursday.
Lamoriello said without John Tavares, all hope is not lost. He said the organization did everything it could to secure the 27-year-old, who spurned them for his hometown Maple Leafs.
“It’s not a breakdown,” Lamoriello said on “Stellick and Simmer.”
“There are a couple of exceptional hockey players here. And we have an exceptional coach.”
Now Lamoriello has his sights set on finding a new identity — one without Tavares’ 30-goal-per-year regular-season average.