Islanders hire former Devils executive Steve Pellegrini as assistant GM
Lou Lamoriello speaks to the media after the NHL Draft at the United Center on June 24, 2017 in Chicago. Credit: Getty Images / Jonathan Daniel
The Islanders have hired another former Devils executive.
Steve Pellegrini, 52, will join the Islanders as an assistant general manager under president/GM Lou Lamoriello and working alongside assistant GM Chris Lamoriello, the team announced on Tuesday.
Pellegrini has been the Devils’ vice president of hockey operations since 2006, when he was first hired by Lou Lamoriello. His duties with New Jersey included contract negotiations, salary cap compliance, collective bargaining agreement issues and scouting.
“Steve brings over 20 years of knowledge and experience to our hockey operations,” Lamoriello said in a statement.
The former Devils boss has been methodically reshaping the Islanders’ organization in his image since being hired as president on May 22. Lamoriello’s biggest moves so far came on June 5 when he relieved GM Garth Snow and coach Doug Weight of their duties, though both remain in the organization in advisory roles, and added the GM title to his role.
For now, Lamoriello has left the scouting department intact as the Islanders, with the 11th and 12th overall pick and eight selections overall, prepare for the NHL Draft, June 22-23 in Dallas.
Lamoriello’s next hire may well be the new coach, especially with the July 1 opening of free agency rapidly approaching.
The Islanders’ priority is to re-sign John Tavares and a large portion of that is convincing the franchise player he has a chance to win with the organization.
Lamoriello, the Maple Leafs GM the past three seasons, was the Devils’ president/GM from 1987-2015. Chris Lamoriello also previously worked for the Devils under his father.
Pellegrini began his career in 1991 working in the NHL’s community relations department and was the group vice president for the NHL’s Central Registry Department from 1998-2006. He also served as the Oilers’ director of hockey administration from 1995-98.
Andrew Gross joined Newsday in 2018 to cover the Islanders. He began reporting on the NHL in 2003 and has previously covered the Rangers and Devils. Other assignments have included the Jets, St. John’s and MLB.
