Devils GM Shero says his challenge is rebuilding team, not replacing Lamoriello

TORONTO – Ray Shero has a history of replacing legends.

The New Jersey general manager is nine months into his term as successor to Lou Lamoriello, who steered the Devils to three Stanley Cups over 28 years.

Almost a decade before he took over in New Jersey, Shero replaced another icon in Pittsburgh. Like Lamoriello, Craig Patrick was a weighty figure in the western Pennsylvania sports scene who won two Stanley Cups over 17 years as the Penguins’ GM before Shero succeeded him.

Shero said following in the footsteps of two legends was somewhat intimidating, though not so much in the case of Lamoriello. Shero said Lamoriello was nothing but helpful in the two and a half months they worked together, when Lamoriello remained on as the Devils’ president before joining the Toronto Maple Leafs.

“It made it a lot easier with my transition,” Shero said.

He absorbed as much as he could, exchanging ideas with Lamoriello and questioning him about his experiences over nearly three decades in the NHL.

Shero, who was the general manager in Pittsburgh for eight years, was familiar with Lamoriello both as a peer and as a foe.

Shero played college hockey at St. Lawrence University, an rival of Providence College, which was coached by Lamoriello. Shero said Lamoriello already had the reputation of a boss who created and demanded order.

That kind of structure was firmly in place when Shero arrived in New Jersey last May.

“The fabric of what Lou has done for 28 years is still in place,” Shero said, “and I know it’s easier to do it this way than to come into a situation where things are just all over the map and there’s no structure or accountability. That’s tougher to rein back in.”

Shero is reluctant to talk about changes he’s made to the Devils since he took over from Lamoriello.

“It’s not about my style compared to Lou’s, it’s just my style,” Shero said. “My style is probably different than Jim Rutherford even though he’s in Pittsburgh when I had left and mine might’ve been different than Craig. It doesn’t mean my style is right or theirs is wrong or it doesn’t mean theirs right and mine is wrong, you have to be yourself. That’s what I’ve tried to be since I’ve been a manager.”

Still, it’s evident Shero has loosened the tight grip Lamoriello held while with the Devils. Star goaltender Cory Schneider can now be seen sporting a reddish beard, while offensive leaders Lee Stempniak and Kyle Palmieri have stubble dotting their faces.

Facial hair was a no-no under Lamoriello.

Mike Cammalleri, injured at the moment, was free to retrieve No. 13 for his sweater at the start of the regular season. That number wasn’t permitted under the evidently superstitious Lamoriello, nor were injured players allowed to be around the team.

While hesitant to contrast himself with his legendary predecessor, Shero said he likes to “empower people to do their jobs and grow in their jobs” in hopes of establishing a quality work environment.

He said his style has evolved throughout his time in the NHL. He joined the Ottawa Senators as an assistant general manager in 1993, and later served as second in command to David Poile for eight years with the Nashville Predators.

Shero said taking over the Devils, absent from the post-season in four of the past five seasons, is like those early days with Ottawa and Nashville. Those teams were primed for a slow rebuild, unlike the Penguins who were immediate Cup contenders led by superstars Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin.

Shero, who captured a Cup with the Penguins in 2009, seems to understand that his challenge is rebuilding the Devils, not replacing his legendary predecessor.

“I don’t try to be Lou. I don’t try to be Craig Patrick,” Shero said. “You have to be yourself.”