The Toronto Maple Leafs caught the hockey world off guard, hiring long-time New Jersey Devils executive Lou Lamoriello as the club’s new general manager on Thursday morning.
Lamoriello, who will turn 73 in October, is the oldest general manager in the NHL, coming in ahead of Ottawa’s Bryan Murray, who is a few months younger.
Others near Lamiorellio in age include Pittsburgh’s Jim Rutherford (66), Nashville’s David Poile (65), Florida’s Dale Tallon (64), and long-time Detroit Red Wings GM Ken Holland, who is 59.
The veteran GM is entering an organization that has struggled historically, having not won a Stanley Cup since 1967, and is coming off one of the ugliest seasons in franchise history.
With that in mind, here’s a look at how previous Maple Leafs general managers have fared throughout the last four decades, including their records and most notable moves.
Dave Nonis
Tenure: 2013-2015
Record: 94-97-21
Notable moves: Signed Phil Kessel, Dion Phaneuf, Tyler Bozak to long-term extensions, acquired goalie Jonathan Bernier, signed and later traded David Clarkson, bought out Mikhail Grabovski.
Brian Burke
Tenure: 2008-2013
Record: 129-135-42
Notable moves: Hired Randy Carlyle to replace Ron Wilson, traded for Kessel, Phaneuf, James van Riemsdyk, Jake Gardiner, Joffrey Lupul, signed Mike Komisarek, Bozak, Jonas Gustavsson, Francois Beauchemin, Tim Connolly as free agents, drafted Nazem Kadri, Morgan Rielly.
Cliff Fletcher (interim)
Tenure: 2008
Record: N/A
Notable moves: Hired Ron Wilson as head coach, signed Jeff Finger in free agency, traded for Grabovski and dealt away Alex Steen to acquire Lee Stempniak.
John Ferguson, Jr.
Tenure: 2003-08
Record: 145-110-30-10
Notable moves: Traded Andrew Raycroft for Tuukka Rask, traded for Brian Leetch, Vesa Toskala, signed Jason Blake, Eric Lindros, Pavel Kubina, Hal Gill, Jason Allison as free agents, fired Pat Quinn, hired Paul Maurice.
Pat Quinn
Tenure: 1999-2003
Record: 169-109-15-35
Notable moves: Traded for Bryan McCabe, Darcy Tucker, Owen Nolan, Aki Berg, signed Ed Belfour, Alex Mogilny, Gary Roberts, waived Steve Sullivan.
Ken Dryden
Tenure: 1997-99
Record: 75-73-16
Notable moves: Signed Curtis Joseph, Steve Thomas as a free agents.
Cliff Fletcher
Tenure: 1991-97
Record: 226-222-9-58 (includes interim stint)
Notable moves: Hired Pat Burns, traded for Doug Gilmour, Mats Sundin, Mike Gartner, Dave Andreychuk, Tie Domi, traded away first round pick (became Roberto Luongo) to acquire Wendel Clark and Matthieu Schneider.
Floyd Smith
Tenure: 1989-91
Record: 61-84-15
Notable moves: Traded 1st-round pick (became Scott Niedermayer) for Tom Kurvers, acquired Bob Rouse, Peter Zezel, Dave Ellett, Mike Krushelnyski in trades, selected Luke Richardson over Joe Sakic, despite wanting to draft Sakic.
Gord Stellick
Tenure: 1988-89
Record: 28-46-6
Notable moves: Dealt Russ Courtnall to the Montreal Canadiens for Jon Kordic, drafted Rob Pearson and Scott Thornton.
Gerry McNamara
Tenure: 1981-88
Record: 166-302-67
Notable moves: Traded Darryl Sittler to Philadelphia, drafted Wendel Clark.
Punch Imlach
Tenure: 1958-69, 1979-81
Record: 433-359-159
Notable moves: Acquired Rick Vaive, Andy Bathgate, traded away Lanny McDonald, Frank Mahovlich, Jim Pappin, Dick Duff, and Bob Nevin, left Gerry Cheevers unprotected.
