How Islanders’ eventual new GM hire can change tone of franchise

Lou Lamoriello always hid it fairly well, but for an 82-year-old he was far more open to analytics and new-age thinking than anyone would expect.

He was not spitting on advanced models or concepts like expected goals, and the last coach he hired, Patrick Roy, regularly would cite statistics from SportLogiq, the service the Islanders use to keep track of advanced stats.

Still, at heart, Lamoriello wanted his teams to play the same style that’s been his trademark for decades: build from the goal out; structured defense; defend a lead.

The Islanders’ four-person analytics department, led by Taran Singleton, is one of the smallest in the league by numbers, according to tracking compiled by The Athletic’s Shayna Goldman, and could use some beefing up.

The revamping of the front office that will occur under a new general manager is a chance to set a new tone there.

Indeed, it is believed that operating partner John Collins, who is leading the search for a new GM, is open to a new-age hire in the mold of Carolina’s Eric Tulsky, though that path is by no means set in stone at the moment.

Surprising as it would be if the Islanders did not at least speak with Ken Holland, who is as old school as it gets this side of Lamoriello, there are plenty of names more open to the new school — or graduates of it — who could get a look as well.

This will be an expansive search.

Alexandra Mandrycky, the Kraken’s 34-year-old assistant GM with a background in data science, is one such option who would make a loud statement about the club’s intentions.

It’s believed Mandrycky, who began working in the league as an analyst with the Wild in 2015, has at least been suggested to Collins as someone to speak with, though it’s not yet clear whether he’ll do so.

Another trailblazing option would be Kate Madigan, currently an assistant general manager across the Hudson with the Devils.

While Madigan’s background is not solely analytical — her father, Jim, played college hockey and was a longtime scout, including over a decade of work with the Islanders — she has spoken at MIT’s Sloan Sports Analytics conference before and is regarded around the league to be a future GM.

It was reported Thursday that Madigan will get an interview with the Islanders.

Either Mandrycky or Madigan would also, of course, be hockey’s first female general manager. Including the two of them, there are six female assistant GMs.

There are also options the Islanders could look to who, while not directly part of the analytics community, are known to incorporate those perspectives into their thinking.

Two names in that mold would be Jarmo Kekalainen and Mike Gillis, with Kekalainen more likely as someone known to want back into the NHL after being let go by the Blue Jackets a year ago February.

The Finn built a strong reputation over a decade-plus in Columbus and left the Blue Jackets in a solid position a year ago, with the club improving by 23 points and barely missing the playoffs after the tragic offseason loss of Johnny Gaudreau.

Kekalainen also built one of the league’s better prospect pipelines — a place the Islanders desperately need to improve — in part by empowering his analytics staff in the draft process.

Gillis, another name that’s been brought up to Collins, is more of a wild card, having last worked for a team as GM of the Canucks from 2008-14.

He’s taken a wandering path since then, doing work in the Swiss league and with the NHLPA after taking a sabbatical to study other teams and leagues.

That indicates Gillis would be eager to pursue analytics and different ways of thinking, even if, like Kekalainen, he comes from a more traditional hockey background. He also has an Islanders connection: Adam Pelech is his nephew.

Gillis said in 2019 he didn’t have interest in being a general manager again, but if the Islanders split the GM and president roles, perhaps he would have interest in the latter.