Leafs GM Lou Lamoreillo offers rare insight during 1-on-1 interview

Toronto Maple Leafs GM Lou Lamoreillo isn’t one to offer up information to reporters. The old school NHL executive is notoriously stingy with details regarding contract negations, injury reports and trade rumours. He has strict policies and guidelines in place for his teams and he expects his colleagues to follow suit. In short, he runs a tight ship.

The Athletic’s Jonas Siegel however, was able to get the Leafs boss to open up a bit and answer some questions about the team’s 2017-18 season and beyond in a rare one-on-one interview. Check out some of the juiciest quotes from Lamoriello below.

Regarding superstar Auston Matthews and his concussion symptoms from last month:

I couldn't even tell you whether I knew or didn't know, only because I don't have that definition right now. The symptoms today — and I think if you look throughout the National Hockey League when you get hit, whether it's a shoulder, whether it's the neck, or what the symptoms are. And that's the one thing I have taken a step back on, is trying to make any of these subtle evaluations only from my experiences. It's a little bit — something new to me right now.

Regarding playing William Nylander at his natural position, centre, as opposed to on the right wing:

Right now, the best position for Willy is on right wing where he's playing right now. What tomorrow will bring, or what next year will bring, or what a month from now. You never know. So you don't look at it. We've seen him at centre, we've seen at wing and right now you just put what the best situation is.

Regarding contract negotiations for Leafs forward James van Riemsdyk:

Well, I think he's an exceptional talent of what he brings. I don't think there's a better natural goal scorer as far as (scoring from) different areas (of the ice). Those players are invaluable.

Regarding his own future with the Leafs, seeing as how he’s unsigned past this season and will be a free-agent come July 1st:

Whatever it is or whatever transpires, it's something that is personal so I wouldn't get into any discussions about that. And don't read into that. It's just that contracts and me: off limits! (Laughs)

So… what’d we learn? Not much, but that’s usually the case with Lamoriello. What was particularly interesting though was his praise for JVR, calling him an “exceptional talent”. Is this a covert way of showing his offseason intentions? Does JVR fit with the team long-term and if so, does Lamoriello take a stab at re-signing him before he hits the free-agent market?