Jacques Lemerre explains why the islanders wanted Alexandre Romanov

Last Saturday, Jacques Lemerre was scheduled to attend the meeting between New Yorkers and Lightning at Amalie Arena in Tampa.

Rooted in the Gulf of Mexico region of Florida, loyal advisor to General Manager Lou Lamoriello, whose official title was Teacher on Special Mission, enjoys the position he held for four years with Islanders.

Of course, the former Montreal Canadiens’ colorist, an eight-time Stanley Cup winner as a player, wouldn’t want to be wearing the socks of his boss, who celebrated his 80th birthday on Friday.

“I wouldn’t see myself in that position today. I wouldn’t even have seen myself doing it in time either!” former Jay LaFleur quarterback laughed. It’s hard work. You have to lead everyone and there are always problems. Always someone has a problem somewhere.

“When something is not working well, and you want to work, you have to make changes. It is a full-time job.”

The former Canadian general manager, Mark Bergievin, often said during his tenure that the most daring part of the job was telling a player he had been traded. After all, players and members of the organization establish close relationships throughout the year. Family on the inside as well as on the outside.

And Le Maire thinks, “That’s hard too. Young people are part of the family in a sense. You get close to them. Then, for some reason, you have to make a decision for the team, and then trading someone becomes difficult. Low has always handled well with that.”

“He won’t change just because of a change. Especially his players. When he sees someone working and a guy who does his best every day and is bent and has a good head, these guys are rarely traded.

Romanoff, fresh shaved

In February 2021, Alexander Romanov had barely a month of experience in the NHL, with the Montreal Canadiens, when Lemerre told the author of these lines that he had seen her in the Russian defender Same arrogance as Chris Chelios when he started with CH.

Seventeen months later, the islanders had acquired the strong ranger in the amateur draft from Montreal. Coincidence? Lamir laughs.

“Had he been told, like all managers in the league. He obviously liked her a lot. He’s the kind of player who completes our group. That’s why he made this trade and that’s a great cause.”

Image source: AFP

According to Lemaire, Lamoreello caught the individual first. More and more decision makers are looking at an athlete’s psychological profile before pulling the trigger in a trade.

“Lo loves good people. When he’s looking for someone, he’s obviously looking at character and the lifestyle he leads. There’s always room for improvement when you’re dealing with problems because a guy isn’t that strong. Weaknesses (outside the ice) are hard to deal with as well as hockey.”

“That’s a lot. That’s why it’s important that more and more managers are moving in this direction. They want good people who play hockey with their hearts in the right place. After that, it’s easier to manage the hockey side.”

A brand owned by Lamoreello, soon after arriving in North America as part of the island’s population, Romanovs were treated to a new look: a haircut and a beard shaved on the skin.

The Steinbrenner brothers, owners of the New York Yankees, have a similar reputation in Major League Baseball. Montgomery Burns too, IN Simpson familywhen Don Mattingly ordered his sideburns to be shaved until he was kicked out of his star club (pardon the analogy).

“With Lou, every time someone comes in with long hair or a beard, it gets cut! It’s his style. He always believed in that, the dress and the way a guy takes care of himself. He wants everyone to feel proud playing for the team.”

Romanov is clearly very proud of Long Island. He plays in his first defensive duo with Noah Dobson and as of Sunday has an average ice time of 20 minutes 40 seconds per game.

He is ranked first among his team in blocked shots (22) and second among the players in his position in kicks (13).

Outlook on Long Island

For the rest of the team, the players know they have to live up to the expectations set for them.

We must quickly forget last year’s result, when “Islands” finished the season 37-35-10 and were eliminated from the playoffs that tasked veteran driver Barry Trotz.

“We have confidence in the team, confirms Le Maire. Lou has retained the majority of the players and has not made many additions. The juniors are progressing very well and the veterans still have their shoulders at the wheel. They want to be successful.

“Last year a lot of things happened and it made a difficult season for us. This year we think the team will be competitive again like two or three years.