<p>The <a href="https://theleafsnation.com/combinations" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Toronto Maple Leafs</a> announced on Thursday that Brendan Shanahan <a href="https://theleafsnation.com/news/toronto-maple-leafs-brendan-shanahan-part-ways-11-years" target="_blank" rel="noopener">would not be given a contract extension</a> by MLSE and will be departing the organization.</p>
<div class="bam-inline-promotion-block" data-max-length="2" data-placement-id="2106" data-context="web-content-promocard" data-property-id="324"></div>
<p>This move marks <a href="https://theleafsnation.com/news/brendan-shanahan-releases-statement-contract-mlse-toronto-maple-leafs-expires" target="_blank" rel="noopener">a symbolic shift</a> in direction for the franchise and the first of many dominanos to fall in the offseason after falling to the Florida Panthers in the second round. While Shanahan was able to make the franchise better-run and helped them reach the playoffs nine straight years, they were unable to advance past the second round, and that will ultimately be his legacy.</p>
<p>In the wake of this franchise-altering move, we put out on social media asking fans what they thought of the news that Shanahan would be leaving after 11 seasons in Toronto. We ended up receiving 200 responses, and we appreciate everyone who took the time to give their perspective on the news.</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="550" data-dnt="true">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">What are your thoughts on the Leafs not renewing Brendan Shanahan&#39;s contract? <a href="https://t.co/yuFfPickQG">pic.twitter.com/yuFfPickQG</a></p>
<p>&mdash; TheLeafsNation (@TLNdc) <a href="https://twitter.com/TLNdc/status/1925657959121473914?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 22, 2025</a></p></blockquote>
<p><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p>
<p>The reactions from Leafs fans on social media were mostly aligned that it was probably the right time to move on from the president. Some felt that it was a move long overdue, while others recognized that this is a sign that things will be different under the leadership of MLSE CEO Keith Pelley. Here are some of the highlights:</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="550" data-dnt="true">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">He made some significant positive changes to TML! To his credit, players who come to Toronto only have good things to say about the organization. However, in this business, the goal is Stanley &amp; through some not great decisions, it hasn&#39;t happened. New direction needed!</p>
<p>&mdash; Roger Halashyn🇨🇦🇺🇦Slava Ukraini! (@LeafFan1967) <a href="https://twitter.com/LeafFan1967/status/1925684368397279711?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 22, 2025</a></p></blockquote>
<p><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p>
<p>It should not be lost in all of the fallout that Shanahan did a lot right throughout his tenure. He mended wounds with alumni, updated the logo, helped spearhead the addition of Legends Row, and retired the numbers of their franchise icons. In the end, the on-ice results were not good enough, and it&#8217;s time for a change.</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="550" data-dnt="true">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">They gave him plenty of chances for the Shanyplan. The blue print doesn’t work. They need a new approach. It’s business.</p>
<p>&mdash; Z Ghost. (@ZGhostbook) <a href="https://twitter.com/ZGhostbook/status/1925665572731122086?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 22, 2025</a></p></blockquote>
<p><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p>
<p>11 years is quite a long time to be in the front office of an NHL team, and Shanahan was one of the longest-serving presidents in the league prior to his contract extension being denied. His impact will be felt for quite some time, though it is clear a new direction was necessary, as this user pointed out.</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="550" data-dnt="true">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">This is a sign that Keith Pelley and the MSLE board is no longer satisfied with making the playoffs and failing in the playoffs.</p>
<p>Changes are coming with the priority being placed on building a team to win the cup, loyalty to the brand and the org, the fans and not the players.</p>
<p>&mdash; Who-Else (@MinorMidgetGTHL) <a href="https://twitter.com/MinorMidgetGTHL/status/1925660410662826485?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 22, 2025</a></p></blockquote>
<p><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p>
<p>While it remains to be seen if the aggressiveness that Pelley will implement leads to success in the playoffs, there is no denying that the Leafs will be run quite differently than in years past.</p>
<blockquote class="bluesky-embed" data-bluesky-uri="at://did:plc:eteybzwher7rf7nyvsyn5xxk/app.bsky.feed.post/3lps4lbcqgs2x" data-bluesky-cid="bafyreiefem4oawwlmbzuxs2tc2b4ewgerfqx26pqzxkxwwoeciujgeoope">
<p lang="en">Step 1 finally taken. Should have happened at least three years ago</p>
<p>&mdash; <a href="https://bsky.app/profile/did:plc:eteybzwher7rf7nyvsyn5xxk?ref_src=embed">JackMcgraw 🇨🇦  (@redmcgraw.bsky.social)</a> <a href="https://bsky.app/profile/did:plc:eteybzwher7rf7nyvsyn5xxk/post/3lps4lbcqgs2x?ref_src=embed">2025-05-22T22:02:15.791Z</a></p></blockquote>
<p><script async src="https://embed.bsky.app/static/embed.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p>
<p>This was a popular sentiment across the majority of responses, in that the move to let go of Shanahan should have happened years earlier. We will never know how differently things would have gone had this been the case, but it has happened now, and there is no going back.</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="550" data-dnt="true">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Dumb move. The team has never been run better.</p>
<p>&mdash; Justin Luey (@JustinLuey) <a href="https://twitter.com/JustinLuey/status/1925666552633823675?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 22, 2025</a></p></blockquote>
<p><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p>
<p>With every seismic change, there will always be some who fear moving past what they have known for a while, which is understandable given the Shanahan era lasted 11 years. It is too early to tell what the future holds for the Leafs, but it has become clear that the status quo won&#8217;t cut it.</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="550" data-dnt="true">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Sad day for a local guy, a hall of famer and someone who wanted to win here so bad. He tried and didn’t succeed. Sad to see a dude lose his job but change was needed. Pelley takes over with Treliving remaining.</p>
<p>&mdash; Dave’s Opinions (@davesopinions9) <a href="https://twitter.com/davesopinions9/status/1925659925126029604?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 22, 2025</a></p></blockquote>
<p><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p>
<p>This user makes a good point in that this is an unfortunate outcome for Shanahan, given the fact that he grew up a Leafs fan and made it his mission to bring the Stanley Cup back to Toronto. Things unfortunately don&#8217;t always work out as intended, and now it&#8217;s time for both sides to move on.</p>
<p><em>We want to hear from you: what are your thoughts on the Leafs not renewing Brendan Shanahan&#8217;s contract?</em></p>
<div class="jetpack-video-wrapper"><iframe loading="lazy" title="Darren Dreger on Shanahan&#039;s Departure, Marner Leaving, &amp; Bennett Not Interested in Toronto? 🧨" width="1424" height="801" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/N-n8SnNPRAs?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>
<p><strong>Sponsored by bet365</strong></p>
<div class="bam-inline-promotion" data-property-id="324" data-promotion-id="18983" data-context="web-content-promocard"></div>


The <a href="https://theleafsnation.com/combinations" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Toronto Maple Leafs</a> announced on Thursday that Brendan Shanahan <a href="https://theleafsnation.com/news/toronto-maple-leafs-brendan-shanahan-part-ways-11-years" target="_blank" rel="noopener">would not be given a contract extension</a> by MLSE and will be departing the organization.
<div class="bam-inline-promotion-block" data-max-length="2" data-placement-id="2106" data-context="web-content-promocard" data-property-id="324"></div>
This move marks <a href="https://theleafsnation.com/news/brendan-shanahan-releases-statement-contract-mlse-toronto-maple-leafs-expires" target="_blank" rel="noopener">a symbolic shift</a> in direction for the franchise and the first of many dominanos to fall in the offseason after falling to the Florida Panthers in the second round. While Shanahan was able to make the franchise better-run and helped them reach the playoffs nine straight years, they were unable to advance past the second round, and that will ultimately be his legacy.

In the wake of this franchise-altering move, we put out on social media asking fans what they thought of the news that Shanahan would be leaving after 11 seasons in Toronto. We ended up receiving 200 responses, and we appreciate everyone who took the time to give their perspective on the news.

https://twitter.com/TLNdc/status/1925657959121473914

The reactions from Leafs fans on social media were mostly aligned that it was probably the right time to move on from the president. Some felt that it was a move long overdue, while others recognized that this is a sign that things will be different under the leadership of MLSE CEO Keith Pelley. Here are some of the highlights:

https://twitter.com/LeafFan1967/status/1925684368397279711

It should not be lost in all of the fallout that Shanahan did a lot right throughout his tenure. He mended wounds with alumni, updated the logo, helped spearhead the addition of Legends Row, and retired the numbers of their franchise icons. In the end, the on-ice results were not good enough, and it's time for a change.

https://twitter.com/ZGhostbook/status/1925665572731122086

11 years is quite a long time to be in the front office of an NHL team, and Shanahan was one of the longest-serving presidents in the league prior to his contract extension being denied. His impact will be felt for quite some time, though it is clear a new direction was necessary, as this user pointed out.

https://twitter.com/MinorMidgetGTHL/status/1925660410662826485

While it remains to be seen if the aggressiveness that Pelley will implement leads to success in the playoffs, there is no denying that the Leafs will be run quite differently than in years past.

https://bsky.app/profile/redmcgraw.bsky.social/post/3lps4lbcqgs2x

This was a popular sentiment across the majority of responses, in that the move to let go of Shanahan should have happened years earlier. We will never know how differently things would have gone had this been the case, but it has happened now, and there is no going back.

https://twitter.com/JustinLuey/status/1925666552633823675

With every seismic change, there will always be some who fear moving past what they have known for a while, which is understandable given the Shanahan era lasted 11 years. It is too early to tell what the future holds for the Leafs, but it has become clear that the status quo won't cut it.

https://twitter.com/davesopinions9/status/1925659925126029604

This user makes a good point in that this is an unfortunate outcome for Shanahan, given the fact that he grew up a Leafs fan and made it his mission to bring the Stanley Cup back to Toronto. Things unfortunately don't always work out as intended, and now it's time for both sides to move on.

<em>We want to hear from you: what are your thoughts on the Leafs not renewing Brendan Shanahan's contract?</em>

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N-n8SnNPRAs

<strong>Sponsored by bet365</strong>
<div class="bam-inline-promotion" data-property-id="324" data-promotion-id="18983" data-context="web-content-promocard"></div>

Recent articles from Michael Mazzei

Breaking News