Recently joining the New York Islanders as a free agent, forward Anthony Duclair has had to do what every NHL player playing under longtime general manager Lou Lamoriello has done: cut his hair.
The 28-year-old winger took to Instagram on Wednesday night and posted a photo of his dreadlocks spread out on a table next to a pair of scissors and electric clippers. It was accompanied by a sad face emoji.
@aduclair10/Instagram
Having a short-haired, beardless roster to start the year is nothing new for Lamoriello, who previously managed the Toronto Maple Leafs and New Jersey Devils.
The notoriously old-school GM’s clean-cut rule has been around for quite some time, along with his distaste for players selecting high jersey numbers.
However, people around the hockey world are beginning to speak out against the policy via social media.
Once Duclair’s Instagram post went viral on X, TSN’s Gord Miller called the practice “archaic.”
“Forcing a grown man like Anthony Duclair to cut his hair is ridiculous and archaic,” he wrote. “And it takes on even worse overtones when it’s part of someone’s culture.”
Forcing a grown man like @aduclair10 to cut his hair is ridiculous and archaic, and it takes on even worse overtones when it’s part of someone’s culture. https://t.co/exYOM40Rwt
— Gord Miller 🇺🇦 (@GMillerTSN) August 22, 2024
Sportsnet journalist Donovan Bennett called the 81-year-old one of the “dinosaurs still yielding power in the sport.”
So much good “hockey is for everyone” work is quickly undone by the dinosaurs still yielding power in the sport.
Come as you are…unless we don’t relate to who you are then you need to conform even though from a business standpoint the future of our sport relies on us to… https://t.co/GNulCtQycT
— Donnovan Bennett (@donnovanbennett) August 22, 2024
Leafs Morning Take host Nick Alberga said it was time for the veteran NHL executive to “evolve.”
Hot take: It’s 2024. It’s time for Lou Lamoriello to evolve. pic.twitter.com/vM2uQtYh5h
— Nick Alberga (@thegoldenmuzzy) August 22, 2024
Other users are questioning the legality of Lamoriello’s rule altogether.
Is that even legal anymore? I’m surprised the NHLPA allows this
— K Scott Vincent (@kscottvincent) August 22, 2024
This is criminal.
— Nean Mac (@NeanMac) August 22, 2024
Many believe Duclair should’ve signed with another team if he wasn’t a fan of the Islanders GM’s ways.
Lol maybe he shouldn’t have signed there then?
— Chaosreigns (@chaosreigns111) August 22, 2024
Nobody forced Duclair, at gunpoint, to sign there. Also, this isn’t new with Lou.
— Andrew Harrison (@harryphlyers) August 22, 2024
Or you know just don’t sign there
— M@ Triggs (@Triggs3489) August 22, 2024
Then there are the small minority of folks who are on board with the Rhode Island native’s peculiar policies.
Good. It’s to look professional and take pride in your appearance. Love what Lou does here
— Robbie Joseph (@Robbiej34) August 22, 2024
Many of Lamoriello’s defenders have pointed to the New York Yankees, who have a similar policy in place.
You should research this new team called the New York Yankees
— Pat MacAfein (Parody) (@PatMcAfein) August 22, 2024
Do you think Lamoriello’s haircut rule has a place in today’s NHL? Let us know in the comments.