Maple Leafs Ownership Makes Things Extremely Clear on the Future of the Team

More is asked of GM Brad Treliving and the team, with hard lines expected to be drawn as the Toronto Maple Leafs are faced with a massive change following the announcement that the contract of Leafs President Brendan Shanahan would not be renewed.

Shanahan, who had spent 11 seasons in charge of the Leafs' hockey operations, was not given a new contract, officially decided upon after a meeting with the Leafs' parent company, Major League Sports & Entertainment (MLSE).

In a statement, MLSE CEO Keith Pelley called Shanahan "one of the most respected leaders in the game" but added that "it was determined that a new voice was required to take the team to the next level in the years ahead", something that will likely extend further down the Leafs front office, including to Brad Treliving.

With Brendan Shanahan out in charge of the Toronto Maple Leafs, and it unknown if the team will fill his role next season, more will be expected out of Treliving to deliver the cup champion promised at the start of the Leafs' rebuild.

According to NHL Insider Chris Johnston, MLSE staff were "disappointed and embarrassed" by the Leafs playoff loss to the Florida Panthers which included two 6-1 blowouts, including their Game 7 elimination.

Johnston says that Treliving isn't expected to act quickly to change the team's fortunes around but is expected to prove this Leafs team is a real contender and not just successful in the regular season.

Reports confirmed that Treliving is not losing his job but will also not take on Shanahan's role as team President, although the responsibilities are much greater now for Treliving to achieve.

Simply put, Brad Treliving isn't being moved out, and it seems MLSE isn't looking to, but if the Leafs aren't winning next season and don't get a strong look at the Stanley Cup, that could change.

Predicting the new Toronto Maple Leafs is not going to be an easy task because there really seems no idea how the Leafs offseason is gonna take shape.

Rumors of all forms seem to swirl about the Leafs in terms of their future, especially with how they'll go about free agency and their unsigned players.

As is known to Leafs fans, Mitch Marner leads the unsigned players, along with John Tavares and RFA Matthew Knies.

Tavares has some momentum towards likely being back on what will likely be a team-friendly contract, the extent of now friendly not entirely known.

Barring no offer sheet swoops Knies away from Toronto, he too should very well be back as the Leafs first liner on the left wing, a role that Toronto would preferably be longstanding.

It's Mitch Marner that has the most uncertainty. It's really a waiting game to see if he'll stay in Toronto or if he'll walk.

Some reports suggest Marner's time in Toronto may be done for, that he looks destined for free agency where he'll likely get massive bids perhaps even greater than what Toronto will offer.

Other reports have suggested there is still mutual interest in a reunion, although the number for Marner to re-sign in Toronto may it now be a bit less.

One thing that is clear is that whether the Toronto Maple Leafs undergo a drastic roster change or keep things the same, a new philosophy is demanded of them that requests the team be more hungrier to win than ever before.