Maple Leafs President Brendan Shanahan believed to be on thin ice in Toronto
Photo credit: USA Today Sports
Toronto Maple Leafs President of Hockey Operations Brendan Shanahan believed to be on thin ice following significant changes to Toronto FC's management structure.
Last week, MLSE fired long-time President of the Toronto Argonauts and Toronto FC Bill Manning. Many saw it as the first major decision by Keith Pelley since joining MLSE in April and that it could be a sign of things to come for MLSE's biggest teams in the Toronto Maple Leafs and Toronto Raptors.
On TSN's OverDrive shortly after the news of Manning being fired broke, The Athletic's Joshua Kloke joined the crew to discuss the significance of the firing and what it could mean for Brendan Shanahan. Kloke had a pretty significant idea on the ultimate motive behind Manning's firing was.
"When Keith Pelley took over, everyone wondered what is going to happen with Brendan Shanahan. The regular season success has been there, the playoff success hasn't been there. Where my mind went, and this is purely speculation, slightly informed speculation, but here's what I wonder. Is Keith Pelley looking at TFC and the Argos and doing this as something of a test?" said Kloke referring to this move being a trial before implementing it with the Leafs and Raptors.
Kloke noted throughout that it is purely speculation on his part, but to his point, which he elaborated further on, in a way it makes sense.
"Part of me wonders, if Keith Pelley says, 'if I have the sporting director and the general manager report directly to me, can I yield some influence and can we start to get results? If that's the case, if that works, is this something that could work with some of my bigger teams?' and I'm specifically talking about the Leafs here.
There were some rumblings when Keith Pelley took over, and there were those few days of uncertainty leading up to the Leafs' season end availability, about, is it possible Brendan Shanahan steps aside into some sort of advisory role and Brad Treliving reports directly to him (Pelley)?
I can say this, I was in the room for that (season-ending press conference), I have never seen Brendan Shanahan look so reserved and borderline meek as I have that day and I think there was some genuine concern about what his future looks like... I really do wonder, and it is just a wonder at this point, if this is a move as a test and if this works and if we start to see results, is this something that could possibly work with some of the bigger teams."
There were some rumblings when Keith Pelley took over, and there were those few days of uncertainty leading up to the Leafs' season end availability, about, is it possible Brendan Shanahan steps aside into some sort of advisory role and Brad Treliving reports directly to him (Pelley)?
I can say this, I was in the room for that (season-ending press conference), I have never seen Brendan Shanahan look so reserved and borderline meek as I have that day and I think there was some genuine concern about what his future looks like... I really do wonder, and it is just a wonder at this point, if this is a move as a test and if this works and if we start to see results, is this something that could possibly work with some of the bigger teams."
Shanahan is reportedly entering the final year of his contract and could be out of work sooner than later depending on how the Leafs' season goes as the team has just one playoff series victory in his nine years with the organization. Although he had a 'Shanaplan' when he arrived, lack of playoff success has caused fans to grow tired of his plan and have asked for changes. It could be a very long and anxious season for the Hall of Famer with his future in question in the Maple Leafs' front office.
| POLL | ||
JUILLET 17 | 323 ANSWERS Maple Leafs President Brendan Shanahan believed to be on thin ice in Toronto Will Shanahan remain with the Leafs past this season? | ||
| Yes | 36 | 11.1 % |
| No | 202 | 62.5 % |
| It depends on the success in the playoffs | 85 | 26.3 % |
| List of polls | ||
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