Brendan Shanahan Reportedly Rejected by Eastern Conference Team for President Role
Photo credit: Nick Turchiaro-Imagn Images
Former Maple Leafs Team President Brendan Shanahan won't be getting the New York Islanders GM role, and now it looks like he's out on the Presidency too.
After news broke that the Toronto Maple Leafs weren't renewing the contract of President of Hockey Operations Brendan Shanahan, questions emerged about what's next for both the team and the Hall of Fame turned executive.
There was a report that Shanahan was in line for the New York Islanders' GM and Team President vacancy, but with the news that Tampa's Mathieu Darche was hired instead as General Manager, it left only the Presidency a potential role.
Brendan Shanahan Rejected From Islanders
Well, it seems like he's not going to be getting the Team President role either, as the Islanders rejected Shanahan, electing to keep Darche as not only GM but Executive VP of Hockey.
According to NHL Insider Pierre LeBrun:
Just to close the loop on the Islanders and Brendan Shanahan, they did talk this week. But there isn't a fit at this point. Believe it was a good conversation but there won't be a hire there. Mathieu Darche has both GM and EVP of Hockey titles.
That second title is noteworthy. It's basically president of hockey level. Shanahan is well respected among owners, he will re-surface somewhere at some point for sure.
That second title is noteworthy. It's basically president of hockey level. Shanahan is well respected among owners, he will re-surface somewhere at some point for sure.
It's been a rough week to say the least for the long-time Maple Leafs President, as he goes from heading a superstar roster to being unemployed in a matter of a week.
So where could he go from here?
Brendan Shanahan's Future Murkier Thanks To 'Shana-Plan'
There's no denying the impact that Shanahan made on and off the ice, and a lot of credit needs to be given where it's due, especially with his work with the Leafs alumni.
But he just headed an 11-year plan that failed at every turn, with a roster filled with potential but just never reached its full amount. Is that solely his fault? Of course not, but it does make a prospective job harder.
Does a team want to commit to another Shana-Plan knowing how it worked out last time? He can certainly help build a roster, but he can often miss the mark (Nazem Kadri's trade, the whole Core 4 contract mess).
He also seems to want to not pay his players what they're worth, and has watched Zach Hyman, Mason Marchment and losing out on Jared McCann in favor of Justin Holl.
What happens if a team with solid depth pieces who end up being a bit more expensive down the line is run by Shanahan? Does he give a player the Hyman treatment and watch them leave to greener pastures?
He won't have the luxury of Toronto's seemingly apathetic nature to things, and he could coast along on some bad decisions in good faith. He's cracked that faith with his failures, and it'll take a lot of convincing for teams to budge.
Perhaps though, instead of worrying about what's to come next, maybe Shanahan needs to take a break after 11 straight years of misery.
It's a new feeling for the Red Wings legend, he should give it some time to sink in.
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MAI 24 | 601 ANSWERS Brendan Shanahan Reportedly Rejected by Eastern Conference Team for President Role Will Brendan Shanahan find another NHL job for 2025-26? | ||
| Yes | 427 | 71 % |
| No | 174 | 29 % |
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