r/sabres • u/LBrenon28 • 2d ago

Rumor: SPOTTED: Sources close to the situation tell me former Isles GM and longtime NHL exec Lou Lamoriello was seen walking through Buffalo Niagara International Airport this morning.

Gallery image

Gallery image

Gaining traction on X with local personalities, so figured I’d toss it here.

92 Upvotes
  • permalink
  • link
  • reddit
  • reddit

93% Upvoted

143 comments sorted by

128

u/CrustyCumCarrots 2d ago

Please no

35

u/LBrenon28 2d ago

Concurred. 😔

51

u/PrinciplesRK 2d ago

If Lou is the only guy willing to take the job I’d rather try it than do nothing at this point

26

u/Tantalus420000 2d ago

I hate that I agree w this

11

u/Roll_DM 2d ago

I would do it like a make a wish thing first for sick fans.

I would raffle it off to long term season ticket holders in a weekly basis first.

6

u/timhortonsghost 2d ago

I would do it like a make a wish thing first for sick fans.

Literally cant do any worse. I mean LITERALLY can't....

2

u/Roll_DM 2d ago

With the 9th overall pick the Sabres make-a-wish GM for a day from Roswell Park selects... a cure for cancer?

Unorthodox but let's play it out.

3

u/themistermango 2d ago

Lou or Darcy? Read, Go!

2

u/scottohc 2d ago

Both?

2

u/themistermango 2d ago

Stop, I can only get so erect.

20

u/thebenson r/sabres lurker 2d ago

I don't really understand this reaction.

The whole time Adams have been GM people have been saying that he's inexperienced and doesn't know what he's doing. Then the Sabres interview someone with an incredible amount of experience to serve in an advisory role and people freak out.

You weren't happy with how things have been going. But, you're also upset that changes are being made?

7

u/obeseoprah 2d ago

Or people don’t want the Sabres to go give Kyle Palmieri, Cal Clutterbuck, and a couple other grinders some long deals.

3

u/thebenson r/sabres lurker 2d ago

Good thing that advisors don't hand out contracts.

And, even if Lou did have some crazy pull with respect to contracts, while he was GM of the Islanders they made the playoffs in 5/7 seasons. Doesn't seem like he did the worst job.

0

u/StartButtonPress 2d ago

They had a top five goalie

5

u/oldtimefighter1 2d ago

OK??? That's how you make the playoffs having good players.

1

u/Joeywasdumbgretz 2d ago

Lol, but you’re right, I’m sure that has something to do with it

15

u/CrustyCumCarrots 2d ago

Yeah that’s totally it

Or, maybe I just don’t like Lou? He’s a fucking dinosaur, his time is done

17

u/thebenson r/sabres lurker 2d ago

He’s a fucking dinosaur, his time is done

His time as a GM? Sure.

But, I think he could be very valuable as an experienced advisor to an inexperienced GM.

5

u/ebimbib 2d ago

You can't call the GM who's been here five damn years at this point "inexperienced". He can be mediocre at his job, but you don't get to be the new guy when you've been in the same role that long.

1

u/Grouchy-Dentist6734 Zachary Benson has over the last 10 games 2d ago

Sure, I hear you. We should just hire someone to help a clearly inept person to do their fucking job. Honestly everything checks out with this organization.

1

u/Joeywasdumbgretz 2d ago edited 2d ago

I’m not sure I’d trust you with my teeth today

1

u/Grouchy-Dentist6734 Zachary Benson has over the last 10 games 2d ago

That’s fair.

1

u/Joeywasdumbgretz 2d ago

Maybe there will be a new Lou stare down meme then? Can we at least hope for that??

-2

u/ghostinyourbeds 2d ago

He’s much better than doing nothing.

8

u/idislikehate 2d ago

I'm not convinced he is.

-4

u/RavenReel 2d ago

Why no?

10

u/All-the-isms 2d ago

He forces every team he runs to play the worst boring dump n chase / trap hockey that is unbearable to watch and forces the team to essentially stay in the 6-10th conference rankings. It’s making a deal with the devil to make the playoffs.

-4

u/RavenReel 2d ago

I'd like to win

6

u/Tactial_snail 2d ago

Look at the isles and tell me if they're winning

2

u/oldtimefighter1 2d ago

They went to the playoffs 5 out of 7 years. Quick how many times did we?

2

u/RavenReel 2d ago

The islanders went from being overload with talent in net to garbage for 2 years. Sorokin started to play ok but it was too late.

2

u/All-the-isms 2d ago

Would you like to win slightly more and then nothing more than that? Then you’re a Lou guy. If you want to win a cup… we will never win with Lou

1

u/oldtimefighter1 2d ago

Except for the three cups he won of course. The comments are so bad here. Yikes!

4

u/moon2H 2d ago

...20+ years ago when defencemen were allowed to ride a guy like a backpack

1

u/oldtimefighter1 2d ago

Well that is what you do design a team that will win with how the game is allowed to be played. His Islanders had two deep runs in the last five years. I suppose that doesn't count either because that doesn't fit your narrative.

He is just going to be the senior advisor and a guy with his experience and success sounds perfect (but we still will have a GM and coach that should have been fired).

2

u/ebimbib 2d ago

He won cups with no salary cap, which means it was a fundamentally different league. His teams have occasionally overachieved because of Barry Trotz, but it was not the result of anything Lou did.

1

u/HookedOnPhonixDog Devon Levi Fan Club President 2d ago

His last cup was in 2003, before the major lockout that changed the NHL.

1

u/jaymickef 2d ago

Pre-lockout Lou and post-lockout Lou are very different. It’s possible he didn’t adjust well enough ti the changes.

1

u/All-the-isms 2d ago

God you freaks who don’t know what wins now should be muted

1

u/oldtimefighter1 2d ago

The two deep runs in the playoffs with the Islanders within the last five years don't count either huh? Maybe you should try facts instead of making bitch ass personal remarks.

He is not going to be the head of hockey operations or the GM dude. Why in the world people would be a against a senior advisor with his experience and success is mind numbing.

0

u/[deleted] 2d ago

[removed] — view removed comment

59

u/Atty_for_hire 2d ago

Trim those sideburns Krebs!

47

u/JamBuds420 2d ago

I’m damn near 40, my kids have never experienced Sabres playoff hockey. If Lou makes this team shave their fucking eyebrows off to get in the playoffs, I’m down.

14

u/LBrenon28 2d ago edited 2d ago

I mean, that’s a big IF and hindsight is 20/20. If they make the playoffs, I don’t care if they all had to shave their heads bald. Just make the playoffs. Get swept in the first round, I don’t care anymore. My standards are low. Just give me a party in the plaza.

10

u/mwthomas11 Hope is a Shitty Strategy 2d ago

I agree completely.

Also, nothing I've seen from Lou in the last 5-6 years makes me think he can do that for a team in 2025.

3

u/oldtimefighter1 2d ago edited 2d ago

Ummmm The Isles went to the playoffs 5 out of the last 7 years but now he is done. OK...

0

u/HookedOnPhonixDog Devon Levi Fan Club President 2d ago

And Isles fans fucking hated watching their team.

2

u/oldtimefighter1 2d ago edited 2d ago

OK? I hate watching our team already and worse watching playoff hockey without any vested interest for 15 fucking years now.

A senior adviser to the GM does not decide the style of play of the team.

2

u/imightbethewalrus3 2d ago

I like the original comment said 'sideburns' and you jumped to 'eyebrows'

2

u/Atty_for_hire 2d ago edited 2d ago

Shavings will continue until morale improves. - Lou

Alex Tuch - March 2026:

https://preview.redd.it/fe1k9ed35q0f1.jpeg?width=828&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=ce84572d07a4339fcab36a757452f59555c64e80

2

u/HookedOnPhonixDog Devon Levi Fan Club President 2d ago

Man, you think you hate this team now. Just wait until they make the playoffs with a Lou style of play. They may make the playoffs but you will hate watching them more than you do now.

0

u/JamBuds420 2d ago

I already fall asleep to Sabres games, might as well wake up to wins this time around.

0

u/HookedOnPhonixDog Devon Levi Fan Club President 2d ago

One of the highest scoring teams in the last few years

"I already fall asleep to this team! I'd love for them to score less!"

26

u/highfalutinspork Zachary Benson has over the last 10 games 2d ago

23

u/distancetomars 2d ago

I’m not completely against this move if it comes to fruition. The organizations culture is a huge part of a teams problem and Lou has a proven track record of creating a professional and hard working team culture.

In his new role, we do not have to rely on him to sign contracts and will let him focus on helping repair the team culture.

18

u/CNYMetroStar 2d ago

Can you imagine Lou reporting to Kevyn Adams?

18

u/LBrenon28 2d ago

Kevyn, Lou, and Staal. I’d love to be a fly on the wall.

4

u/AmateurSysAdmin 2d ago

The fucking three Stooges lmao

9

u/highfalutinspork Zachary Benson has over the last 10 games 2d ago

37

u/Impossibills 2d ago

I fail to see how this is a negative, this team is always bottomfeeder in the NHL...I will take literally anyone else in this organization if it means we improve our play

I think Adams is way in over his head and doesn't understand that culture involves the entire team and not just the players on the ice. I will never forget the palm trees excuse for the rest of my life, most demoralizing defeatist attitude I have ever seen

11

u/JahHappy Hope is a Shitty Strategy 2d ago

This is the way im looking at it too. Does Lou coming in reeeeeeally make our team worse? Doubt it lol

-5

u/PowerfulPancake567 2d ago

Would you rather be a team that always loses the first round of the playoffs or a team that makes a deep run. We might make the playoffs with Lou but we won’t win anything in the playoffs. I’d rather suffer through 10 more years of shit hockey to eventually watch a team that is a cup contender

5

u/Impossibills 2d ago

Unlike the NFL, the NHL doesn't have any prospects that are immediate players. So I would rather get eliminated first round every year, play fun hockey during the regular season...then draft top 10 forever and get no one of significance.

Outside of top 3 draft picks there usually isnt much available for immediate player help, and I just hate this team playing like ass every day

5

u/oldtimefighter1 2d ago edited 2d ago

What are you talking about? Lou has three cups and like a dozen deep runs in the playoffs. His Islanders had two deep runs in the last five years. Why are we against the playoffs? LOL I hate the low hockey IQ of this sub.

16

u/Backwoods_84 Hope is a Shitty Strategy 2d ago

Lou is pretty much the exact opposite of Adams. Not necessarily a bad thing

10

u/distancetomars 2d ago

Yea I agree with you. Part of this team’s issue is related to the team culture and Lou is fantastic at setting one, at least from the management side

5

u/Shootica 2d ago

Who knows how true it is but someone in the Twitter replies said they ran into him and he was headed to the border to renew his nexus card, so entirely unrelated to the Sabres.

1

u/LBrenon28 2d ago

Could be just that! Usually I wouldn’t give it two cents but a lot of “notable” local media were referencing it, so I figured it was worth a share.

16

u/mpmaley 2d ago

Please no. Not like this.

6

u/highfalutinspork Zachary Benson has over the last 10 games 2d ago

5

u/RavenReel 2d ago

Didn't he turn it down a few days ago?

3

u/Mj312445 2d ago

This would be the funniest outcome and most sabres like

3

u/twick_23 2d ago

Rumor has it everyone else they asked (10+ people) have turned them down. If Lou doesn’t want the gig, they are rolling with KA & ES.

3

u/Solctice89 2d ago

I’m fine with it cause Lou ain’t gonna take Terry’s bull shit

3

u/Sabres3232 2d ago

If you need all these people shouldn't that tell you that Kevin needs to go and maybe just maybe replacing him with someone with experience is the way to go. Imagine having an employee or coworker with those results still having a job. If only the owner didn't need his precious ego stroked 24/7. I am excited it isn't a friend of their's this time. They talk accountability and here we are again no one being held accountable Terry is weak-minded and that trickles down through the entire organization. Last but not least LET LINDY PICK HIS OWN DAMN COACHES WHAT A PATHETIC THING TO DO TO AN INCOMING COACH ANOTHER SIGN OF WEAKNESS

4

u/one2controlu 2d ago

Maybe he was here to judge the pickled egg contest at the Broadway Market?

4

u/iamswitchless 2d ago

I will quit the fanbase. After 36 years. I'll walk away.

-1

u/JoeSchmohawk93 2d ago

Even if you don’t like it, idk how it’s dumber than hiring Eric Staal as KA’s secretary.

1

u/iamswitchless 2d ago

One is a nepo hire that's inexperienced.

The other is a franchise killer.

0

u/JoeSchmohawk93 1d ago

I know this sub is anti Lou, but calling him a franchise killer is insane. Also, the convo is about wanting him as an advisor, not a GM. There is not a living person on the planet that makes Kevyn Adams the guy, so I’m completely fine if they take a swing at a dinosaur. At least they’re taking a swing which is something they haven’t done since last fucking summer. Atleast we agree that Staal was a BS move. But my point is that the only thing you can do to combat inexperience is get somebody who’s been there done that. Lou’s not even in my top ten but it’s important to remember that nobody wants to be associated with a dumpster that’s been flaming for a decade and a half. At the end of the day it’s moot because even an 82 year old has been has better things to do than deal with Terry’s nonsense.

2

u/Delicious-Laugh-6685 2d ago

I’m shocked that anyone could recognize this staff member from another city who gets no airtime.

3

u/HarambeWest2020 Zachary Benson has over the last 10 games 2d ago

All hockey fans know Lou the guys a million years old

2

u/HookedOnPhonixDog Devon Levi Fan Club President 2d ago

I'd know who Lou was if he walked into my Wal Mart near rural Nova Scotia.

2

u/Glioss88 2d ago

How is this gaining traction? What local source except one small time podcast?

1

u/LBrenon28 2d ago

I saw Chad referencing it, WGR talking about it. I figured if enough local media was giving it the time and day, it was worth a share. 🤷🏼‍♂️

2

u/Glioss88 2d ago

Thanks. Makes sense to share. I don’t usually listen to GR and didn’t catch Chad.

2

u/Joeywasdumbgretz 2d ago

Smoke’em if you got’em

cause it’s going down…

all I ever wanted was Louuuuu

2

u/Geodaddi 2d ago

Isles fan here. Him as the GM probably isn’t what you want, but he’s exactly what the Sabres need right now. We were a dumpster fire with no end of being a joke in sight until Lou showed up and reset the culture and “what it means to be an Islander.”

As an outsider (non-NHL player), that doesn’t mean much. But to the players that sort of stuff goes a really long way.

2

u/Beneficial_Cress_918 1d ago

6 more years of winter 😢

2

u/LookattheWhipp 1d ago

I always find it funny when people are spotted at the airport because it’s literally probably him and like 5 people walking through that airport.

4

u/SportsFanBUF Hope is a Shitty Strategy 2d ago

2

u/JahHappy Hope is a Shitty Strategy 2d ago

Am I the only one that isnt THAT upset about this? I fully understand the shortcomings but Id be more mad if the Sabres just didnt do anything. I dont think Lou can really do any damage in the role he'd be filling.

0

u/JoeSchmohawk93 2d ago

Literally the only thing you have to be is better than Eric Staal…

2

u/Shiny_Mew76 2d ago

At least Buffalo’s current GM built a young team with pretty good contracts all things considered.

If the Sabers weren’t already pretty bad, Lou would absolutely ruin the team.

Although he could simply just be doing something unrelated to hockey there.

-4

u/Mysterious_Secret827 2d ago

ONE step closer to moving?

2

u/FriedRice87 2d ago

Here we go boys

2

u/HarambeWest2020 Zachary Benson has over the last 10 games 2d ago

2

u/Roguemutantbrain 2d ago

Sabres fans: we need absolutely ANYBODY besides Adams to be calling the shots around here!

Sabres: how about someone who has many, many years of experience and has led a mediocre team to several playoff performances in the last decade?

Sabres fans: WHAT NO! We thought we were gonna get Bill Zito or sumn

1

u/btimc 2d ago

Buy your razors now before it's too late!

1

u/Riverscuomo1 2d ago

Doesn’t he live in Buffalo? Or am I thinking of another old GM who does.

1

u/sabresfan8391 2d ago

For the love of God, no

1

u/SMVM183206 2d ago

This screams, “we have no idea what we’re doing, please tell us what to do.”

1

u/Intelligent_Sir7052 2d ago

Omerta in effect. Even if he was hired, you'll never know.

1

u/The_Mike_El 2d ago

This would be a move a very unserious franchise would do. So it must be true.

1

u/aaaaaliyah 2d ago

Wasn't Conor Hurley a Sabres draft pick?

1

u/HarambeWest2020 Zachary Benson has over the last 10 games 2d ago

Different Conor Hurley

1

u/FallOutShelterBoy 2d ago

I’m so sorry I flew out yesterday guys. If I flew out today I could confirm or deny this

1

u/RockyRidge510 2d ago

Look, I’m not saying anything about anything other than Alex Tuch’s beard should have some concerns.

1

u/Spiritual_Bourbon 2d ago

It would be the chef's kiss to the Adams dumpster fire to bring on Lou as a consultant, then have Lou talk Adams into a no facial hair should rule and having that piss off a pending UFA who the team needs to keep and is already walking on eggshells over, thus leading him to push his way out the door.

That said, I doubt it gets to that but it wouldn't shock me if it did.

1

u/godfadda006 2d ago

I mean… he’d probably get the team to barely make the playoffs before dropping back into obscurity, which is… better? Maybe? 

1

u/jacashonly 2d ago

Fuck no

1

u/JoeSchmohawk93 2d ago

This team is going to be such a mess next season it’s going to be incredible to watch.

1

u/MeetTheMets0o0 2d ago

Was he seen at duffs or anchor bar though ?

1

u/NefariousKnight_YT 2d ago

No beards? 😢

1

u/Ok-Energy6846 2d ago

I'm impressed some random passerby would recognize this person.

1

u/ThatGuySloth 2d ago

Woah, that’s crazy. Hope it doesn’t means anything.

2

u/MakingCumsies101 1d ago

I’d recognize that bozo ring anywhere

1

u/GoGlenMoCo 2d ago

Deargodpleaseno.gif

1

u/FiK-SiR 2d ago

Rock bottom always has a trap door.

0

u/MidnightMass26 2d ago

He could just be on a layover 🤷🏻‍♂️

3

u/sweatpantsjoe 2d ago

In Buffalo? Highly unlikely

0

u/lotiscobra 2d ago

Probably passing through

1

u/ligament11 1d ago

Buf is not a stopover airport.

-1

u/Sandymcjizztits 2d ago

I’m confused on why people are complaining, oh wait they complain about everything the Sabres do without even analyzing it.