The Toronto Maple Leafs have officially parted ways with team president and alternate governor Brendan Shanahan, ending an 11-year tenure that shaped the modern identity of the franchise. The decision follows a high-level meeting with the MLSE Board of Directors and comes in the wake of the team’s crushing 6-1 defeat to the Florida Panthers in Game 7 of the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs.
Shanahan, hired on April 11, 2014, was the longest-serving executive in Maple Leafs history. His tenure was marked by bold moves and a clear vision for restoring the franchise to championship contention. Known for his Hall of Fame career and prior role as a senior NHL executive overseeing player discipline, Shanahan arrived in Toronto with a reputation for leadership and accountability.
MLSE president and CEO Keith Pelley acknowledged Shanahan’s significant contributions in a statement, praising his leadership on and off the ice. “Brendan is one of the most respected leaders in the game and he has instilled many of the traits that were the signature of his Hall of Fame career throughout the organization,” said Pelley. “However, our driving motivation is to add a new chapter to the Maple Leafs’ championship history, and it was determined that a new voice is required to take the team to the next level.”
Shanahan’s tenure saw a dramatic shift in the team’s trajectory when the Leafs secured the first overall pick in the 2016 NHL Draft and selected Auston Matthews. Alongside Mitch Marner, William Nylander, and Morgan Rielly, the team assembled a promising young core. The 2018 signing of John Tavares to a $77 million contract reinforced the front office’s aggressive intent to win a Stanley Cup. However, repeated playoff exits—never advancing past the second round—haunted the era.
Shanahan made several key leadership decisions, including the dismissal of GM Kyle Dubas in 2023 and head coach Sheldon Keefe in 2024, replacing them with Brad Treliving and Craig Berube respectively. Despite these changes, postseason success remained elusive.
With Shanahan’s departure, questions now swirl around the next phase of the Maple Leafs’ leadership. MLSE’s Keith Pelley is set to address the media on Friday, while key players including Matthews, Marner, Nylander, and others completed their end-of-season interviews earlier this week.
As for Shanahan, he may not be sidelined for long. The Maple Leafs have granted him permission to engage with the New York Islanders, who are reportedly considering him for their open president of hockey operations role.
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