Brendan Shanahan’s time with the Toronto Maple Leafs may soon be over. With his contract ending in June and reports suggesting that the New York Islanders have received permission to speak with him, it looks like big changes are coming. As the Leafs once again fall short in the playoffs, the team’s leadership could be heading in a new direction.
Shanahan has been with the Maple Leafs for nearly a decade, but despite some improvements, the team still hasn’t found playoff success. Now, there’s talk that a move to Long Island could give him the fresh start he needs.
A New Opportunity with the Islanders?
While Shanahan’s departure from Toronto isn’t confirmed yet, the chances are high. The Islanders are looking to fill key positions in their front office, and Shanahan could be a top choice for team president. Even though Marc Bergevin and Mathieu Darche are seen as favourites for the Islanders’ general manager (GM) role, there is a real possibility that Shanahan could be brought in as their president.
Shanahan already has strong ties to the New York area from his playing and executive days. A role with the Islanders could allow him to bring new energy and structure to a team that has struggled to make a deep playoff run in recent years.
Could the ‘Shanaplan’ Work Better in New York?
One big advantage the Islanders have right now is their strong position for the future. With the first-overall draft pick this year and around $28.3 million in salary cap space, they can start rebuilding their team. Most of that cap space might go to re-signing key player Noah Dobson, but there’s still enough money to attract new talent or make a major trade.
This situation is similar to what Shanahan experienced when the Leafs had the first-overall pick in 2016. If he joins the Islanders, he could get another shot at building a championship-caliber team—this time with lessons learned from his years in Toronto.
Changes Coming to the Maple Leafs?
If Shanahan leaves, the Leafs could also restructure their front office. There’s a chance that assistant GM Brandon Pridham could take over as general manager, while current GM Brad Treliving might be promoted to a president role. This kind of setup is already used by other successful NHL teams like the Colorado Avalanche and Vegas Golden Knights.
Leafs fans are growing frustrated. The team hasn’t reached the Eastern Conference Finals despite making the playoffs for nine straight years. With Keith Pelley now leading Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment, it’s clear that repeating the same strategy isn’t going to cut it anymore.
Will the Leafs “Run It Back” Again?
There’s still a small chance that Shanahan could stay if he agrees to a new contract. But if that happens, many fans and critics will say it’s just more of the same. Shanahan has worked with three different general managers—Lou Lamoriello, Kyle Dubas, and now Brad Treliving—and none of them have been able to deliver playoff success.
Yes, Shanahan helped bring some stability to the Leafs and made sure legends were honoured by retiring jersey numbers. But in the NHL, results matter, and the Leafs still haven’t gotten the job done in the playoffs.
A Fresh Start Might Be Best for Shanahan
While the Leafs didn’t achieve their playoff dreams under Shanahan, he still helped improve the team’s image and long-term outlook. If he moves on to a team like the Islanders, he’ll have another chance to apply what he’s learned and build something better.
With the Islanders in the competitive Metropolitan Division and in a strong position to rebuild, it could be the perfect place for Shanahan to begin a new chapter in his career. Whether he stays or goes, Shanahan’s future is likely to be decided very soon.
