Breaking NHL News: Maple Leafs Make Decision on Brendan Shanahan's Future

Brendan Shanahan is out as President of the Toronto Maple Leafs, as MLSE has decided not to renew his contract.

After 11 years and only two playoff round wins, the future of Toronto Maple Leafs team president Brendan Shanahan was in question as his contract was up for renewal this summer. Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment has now made its decision, and Shanahan is out. His contract will not be renewed.

BREAKING: Brendan Shanahan is out as President of the Toronto Maple Leafs, as MLSE has decided not to renew his contract. pic.twitter.com/VQvwbMshbV
— TSN (@TSN_Sports) May 22, 2025

Shanahan has issued his own statement, calling his time at the helm of the Leafs "one of the greatest honours of my life."

Statement from Brendan Shanahan following the end of his 11-year run in Toronto. pic.twitter.com/L3UuJohznF
— Chris Johnston (@reporterchris) May 22, 2025

“While I am proud of the rebuild we embarked on starting in 2014, ultimately, I came here to help win the Stanley Cup, and we did not,” Shanahan continued. “There is nothing more I wanted to deliver to our fans, and my biggest regret is that we could not finish the job.”

Brendan Shanahan's contract will not be renewed by Maple Leafs

The Leafs bowed out in Game 7 against the Florida Panthers in the second round last weekend, and that was the final straw for the so-called 'Shanaplan' for Toronto.

The team has made the playoffs for nine consecutive seasons, and finished first place in the Atlantic Division for the first time under Shanahan's reign, but the end result in the playoffs was another disappointing early exit, capped off by an embarrassing 6-1 loss in Game 7. Overall, they went 0-6 in Game 7s, and were only 2-14 in potential series-winning games during the Shanahan decade+.

Reports indicate that GM Brad Treliving will remain in place. But other drastic changes are likely coming to the roster this summer, including the potential loss of Mitch Marner to free agency, questions about John Tavares's future, some potential trades or other free agent signings, and even some potential buyouts as well.

Shanahan already has one team potentially interested in his services, as we shared on Wednesday, and it seems to be his most likely landing spot.