New Leafs general manager Kyle Dubas has two gaping holes to fill in the hockey department with the departures of senior advisor Lou Lamoriello and assistant GM Mark Hunter.Lamoriello was announced Tuesday morning as the president of hockey operations for the New York Islanders, while Leafs president Brendan Shanahan issued a statement saying Hunter had left the organization.“Following extensive discussions with Mark, he and the Toronto Maple Leafs have mutually agreed to part ways,†Shanahan said in a news release. “I’d like to sincerely thank Mark for everything he’s done for this organization over the last four years and I wish him nothing but the best in the future.â€Hunter, who built a reputation as a shrewd drafter and talent evaluator, had been passed over in favour of Kyle Dubas for the role of general manager.Lamoriello joins his son, Chris, who is assistant GM with the Islanders.“We are grateful to (part-owner) Larry Tanenbaum and the Toronto Maple Leafs for their courtesy in allowing this move,†Scott Malkin, managaing partner of the Islanders, said in a release. “We are committed to giving Lou every resource and the full support of the entire organization as we pursue our program to compete at the highest level.â€Lamoriello was GM of the Leafs for three seasons, but Shanahan named Dubas GM on March 11 — bumping Lamoriello and passing over Hunter, setting in motion this course of events.“I am excited to join such a storied franchise and look forward to working with Scott Malkin and the entire New York Islanders organization,†Lamoriello said in the Islanders’ release.Read more:Lamoriello move from Leafs to Islanders ‘done deal’Opinion | Bruce Arthur: Handing Leafs GM reins to creative Dubas risky playOpinion | Dave Feschuk: The headaches might just be beginning for Leafs president Brendan Shanahan
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