Shanahan to take over Maple Leafs
10 years ago
Well, it looks like it’s a done deal. After several days of rampant speculation, it looks like Brendan Shanahan is set to take over as President of the Toronto Maple Leafs hockey club. From Damien Cox over at the Toronto Star:
“Shanahan, according to multiple sources, will resign his position as the NHL’s director of player safety as early as Friday and immediately join the Leafs this weekend as the team closes out a disappointing season.While his precise job could not be confirmed, sources suggest the Hall of Fame winger will likely be named president of the Leafs hockey club, not only president of hockey operations.A formal press conference to announce his hiring could happen as early as Monday in Leiweke’s latest eye-popping maneuver.”
It’s good news, I guess, in that I can’t see how it’s bad news. Shanahan appears to check off all the proverbial boxes – he certainly knows hockey, seems to understand the business side of the sports, and carries with him significant name recognition. That last part really isn’t all that important, but I imagine it was to MLSE boss hog Tim Leiweke.
According to the pundits, this move is designed to “change the culture” in the Leafs’ front office, but I’m skeptical as to how much of an affect it will have on the on-ice product. Roster management duties still fall on David Nonis and his band of merry assistants, but maybe Shanahan’s presence signals that failure won’t be tolerated for quite as long as it has previously been.
And hey, if that motivates Nonis to make a coaching change in the offseason, then Shanahan’s hiring might become immediately justified.
While I’m not 100% sold, reading Greg Wyshynski’s reaction makes me feel a little better…
“If it sounds like I’m optimistic about the hiring, it’s because I am. Shanahan was an impressive change-maker in the NHL offices, and that’s the essential thing the Maple Leafs need: The vision thing, the boldness thing and someone that’s going to be able to sell a plan that isn’t simply an extension of someone else’s philosophy.”
To be honest, Wyshynski’s entire article is excellent so click on that link and read the whole thing.
More to come as the story unfolds…
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