Maple Leafs exec says he’ll ‘consider everything’ to improve roster

Brendan Shanahan, president of the Toronto Maple Leafs says the team will consider everything to improve its roster.

The Maple Leafs were eliminated in the first round of the Stanely Cup playoffs in Game 7 against the Boston Bruins. Toronto has only won one series in the last eight years, as playoff success has not been forthcoming.

Due to the lack of playoff success, Shanhan says all options are on the table when it comes to his roster’s prospects.

“The ultimate responsibility rests with me. The responsibility lies with me. Our playoff results are not good enough. It’s for me. The results we obtained in the playoffs, our players know it, we know it, I know, they are unacceptable. They are unacceptable to our fans, and they are unacceptable to everyone who supports the Toronto Maple Leafs. We do an analysis at the end of every season, we look at our team, we look to the future and we look for ways to improve,” Shanahan said during a May 10 press conference.

“We do this every year. In the past, I believe there have been times when patience was talked about, and I still believe there are times when patience is the right decision. However, when you see that trends persist and the results don’t change, you need to adjust the way you look at things. We will look at everything this summer, and we will look at everything this summer. All with the intention of the only thing we are here for, which is to make the Maple Leafs better and win,” Shanahan continued.

It remains to be seen what those changes will be, but Mitch Marner’s future has been rumored since Toronto’s playoff exit.

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Shanahan will remain president of the Maple Leafs

Shanahan has served as president of the Maple Leafs since April 11, 2014 and will remain through the 2024-25 NHL season.

Under Shanahan’s reign, Toronto only won one series, but despite the lack of playoff success, new MLSE CEO Keith Pelley announced that Shanahan would continue in his role.

“Brendan Shanahan is the president of the Toronto Maple Leafs. He’s a champion,” Pelley said.

Shanahan has not revealed the status of his contract for the 2024-25 NHL season. However, it has been reported that he is entering his final year, but he says his contract status is not a distraction.

Shanahan won the Stanley Cup three times during his playing career in 1997, 1998 and 2002, all with the Detroit Red Wings.

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Maple Leafs fire head coach Sheldon Keefe

One change Toronto has made this season is the firing of head coach Sheldon Keefe.

After five seasons with the team, Keefe was fired on May 9 following the Maple Leafs’ first-round playoff exit to the Bruins.

“Today’s decision was difficult,” Maple Leafs general manager Brad Treliving said in the release. “Sheldon is a great coach and a great man; however, we determined that a new voice was needed to help the team achieve our ultimate goal. We thank Sheldon for his hard work and dedication to the organization over the past nine years, and we wish him and his family all the best.

Toronto has not yet announced its new head coach.