Official: Scott Malkin’s Islanders Give Lou Lamoriello Full Authority

The New York Islanders on Tuesday morning christened the Lou Lamoriello news with an official team announcement, short, sweet, and hinting that this was arranged strictly at the highest level of the organization:

The New York Islanders announced today the hiring of Lou Lamoriello as President of Hockey Operations. He will have full authority over all hockey matters with the organization.

”We are grateful to Larry Tanenbaum and the Toronto Maple Leafs for their courtesy in allowing this move,” Managing Partner of the Islanders, Scott Malkin said. “We are committed to giving Lou every resource and the full support of the entire organization as we pursue our program to compete at the highest level.”

”I am excited to join such a storied franchise and look forward to working with Scott Malkin and the entire New York Islanders organization,” Lamoriello said.

While Jon Ledecky has been the face of the two-man ownership duo (aside from Charles Wang’s minority stake), Malkin is the chief man behind the scenes, the one with the wealthiest worth and network, the guy who reportedly has been in contact with John Tavares’ agent Pat Brisson, and presumably -- based on the language of this release -- the one working directly with the Leafs’ chairman and part owner Tanenbaum to get Lamoriello released from an advisory role he never wanted in Toronto after being relieved from GM duties there.

The announcement posted on the team site adds more, but basically just adds tons of bio information about Lamoriello.

And what of Garth Snow? Doug Weight? The coaching staff? The scouts?

Perhaps there will be more details in the conference call with media (scheduled for 2 p.m. EDT), but it’s doubtful given the quick timing and parties involved.

Expect some variation of “we’ll evaluate all areas, including firing my son*,” which is...familiar, yet different.

*Okay, don’t expect that. But it would be funny. Lou’s son, Chris, is assistant GM of the Isles under Snow.