For more than 30 years, Lou Lamoriello has done things his way when it comes to running profe sional hockey franchises. So, now that he is with the New York Islanders, don't expect things to change.

That was clear on a conference call with reporters Tuesday afternoon when Lamoriello provided non-answers or straight no-comments to questions about important topics such as whether or not he already met with the Islanders pending unrestricted free agent captain John Tavares to talk contract.

"When it comes to talking to Luis Aparicio Jersey players -- whether it be with contracts, whether it be personally, or anything to do with their own individual situation -- I will never comment about it, haven't in the past and won't now," Lamoriello responded to the direct question about Tavares, whose contractstatus is the team's most pre sing i sue.

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However, Lamoriello was full of praise for the 28-year-old Tavares, who has 621 points in 669 career games.

"He is one of the elite players, a gentlemen both on and off the ice, and is just as quality individual as he is a player," offered Lamoriello. "I don't know any better way of describing him."

The potential lo s of Tavares would Jeff Keppinger Jersey be a crippling blow to the Islanders in all facets of their busine s.The hiring of a Hockey Hall of Fame executive, as with Lamoriello, certainly should capture Tavares' attention as he considers the future direction of the organization.

Lamoriello also declined to discu s his plans for team GM Garth Snow and head coach Doug Weight, both of whom were retained by ownership after a second consecutive season Carlton Fisk Jersey mi sing the playoffs. The new Isles team President simply said he has "no preconceived notions" about either Snow nor Weight and would "take a step back" to evaluate all areas of the hockey operation.

"There is no time frame for anything," stated Lamoriello. "But when there is time you use it. When there isn't, you make a decision."

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The 75-year-old Lamoriello explained that the Islanders reached out to the Maple Leafs for permi sion to discu s this Frank Thomas Jersey new position with him during the playoffs, but he declined, waiting until after Toronto was ousted by the Bruins in the first round to move ahead. With Toronto then choosingto as general manager, Lamoriello decided against an advisory role with the Maple Leafs to run the show in Brooklyn instead.

"I look at it as a challenge to bring the Islanders back to where they were," Lamoriello said.