John Collins well suited to find Islanders' next GM/president

The announcement that Lou Lamoriello’s contract as Islanders president and general manager would not be renewed was accompanied by the news that operating partner John Collins would lead the search for the Hall of Famer’s successor (or successors if the roles are split).

So who then is John Collins and what makes him suited to handle the most important hire in the tenure of owner Scott Malkin and co-owner Jon Ledecky since bringing in Lamoriello in 2018?

Actually, Collins has an extensive resume as a sports executive, both within and outside of the NHL, and is qualified to name himself Islanders president, though it is believed that is not his intention.

He served as the NHL’s chief operating officer from 2008-15 and was instrumental in spearheading the development of the highly successful Winter Classic series of outdoor games. He also negotiated new television deals that were highly profitable for the league. As a result, Collins has numerous and deep relationships around the league with other executives and personnel, both veteran and up-and-coming.

He invested in the Islanders in 2023 and was named operating partner and put in charge of the organization’s business operations, including growing its partnerships with UBS Arena management, Oak View Group, the developer of the $1.1 billion arena, New York Racing Association and Belmont Park Village.

Collins worked parallel to longtime acquaintance Lamoriello, who was in charge of all hockey operations. He also works closely with Malkin and Ledecky.

Collins also spent more than a decade working in the NFL, including as the Cleveland Browns’ president and CEO from 2004-06.

So Collins is well-versed on what the Islanders need in a new leader.

He’ll likely want to hear from candidates that the Islanders need to put more resources into analytics. He has to hear a detailed plan for how to revive the Islanders’ AHL affiliate in Bridgeport and restock the prospect talent pipeline to Long Island.

Collins has not spoken publicly since April 22, when the Islanders announced they would be parting ways with Lamoriello. He might not until somebody is hired.

At some point, he will explain this process — but it is one he’s qualified to conduct.

Holmstrom's next deal

One priority for the Islanders’ next GM will be re-signing Simon Holmstrom, a former first-rounder coming off easily the best season of his career. The 23-year-old Swede, selected 23rd overall in 2019, set career highs with 20 goals and 25 assists, beating his previous bests by five goals and 15 assists.

More importantly, he proved to Islanders management that he can play top-six minutes effectively, finding a comfortable role on second-line center Brock Nelson’s wing and then with Jean-Gabriel Pageau after Nelson was dealt to the Avalanche.

Holmstrom, a restricted free agent with arbitration rights, played on a one-year, $850,000 deal, with a healthy raise likely coming in his new contract. He likely projects to receive an annual average value around $3.25 million, depending on the length of the deal.

Lamoriello preferred bridge deals for RFAs as they got closer to unrestricted free agency. The new GM may prefer otherwise.

“I haven’t really thought about it,” Holmstrom said on April 19 at the Islanders’ breakup day. “I’ve just been focusing on this season.”

Holmstrom, also a valuable penalty-killer, cited increased confidence in his play and his shot this past season. Feeling the trust of the coaching staff with his increased ice time also was a factor. Holmstrom averaged 16:52, up from 13:19 the previous season, when he mainly skated in a bottom-six role.

“It’s a big difference,” Holmstrom said. “In the bottom six, you’re probably below 12s. You get to the top six, you’re up there at the 16 to 20 minutes. It’s a lot more minutes and a lot more things you can do out there.”

The other free agents

Along with Holmstrom, the Islanders’ other restricted free agents are forwards Maxim Tsyplakov and Marc Gatcomb and defensemen Noah Dobson, Alexander Romanov, Scott Perunovich and Adam Boqvist. Like Holmstrom, they all have arbitration rights.

The deadline for qualifying offers is June 30, one day before the market opens for unrestricted free agents.

“I would like to stay here,” Tsyplakov said on breakup day when asked about his upcoming contract negotiations. “It’s everything I like. It’s a good team. Good personnel. Good fun.”

Forwards Kyle Palmieri, Hudson Fasching and Matt Martin (not expected to play again) and defensemen Mike Reilly and Tony DeAngelo are the Islanders’ UFAs.

Additionally, goalie Jakub Skarek, a third-round pick in 2018 who turns 26 in November and has appeared in only two NHL games, is expected to be a Group 6 UFA. He qualifies because he has not played in at least 28 NHL games with more than 30 minutes of ice time.

By Andrew Gross

andrew.gross@newsday.comAGrossNewsday

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.