There is no doubting the fact that dark times are ahead for Toronto Maple Leafs fans — as if the past 10 years haven’t been dark enough. Now that the organization missed the playoffs for the second straight season and the eighth time in nine years, they are finally going to do things correctly.
When Brendan Shanahan was hired last summer as the team’s new president, many questioned where the Leafs’ heads were at. Shanahan, who previously held a position at the NHL head office as a disciplinary officer (handed out suspensions), had never had any prior work experience in an NHL team’s front office, something which didn’t sit well with many. In his first season as Leafs president, Shanahan was quiet and did not address the media much, something he was criticized for at times.
Unlike many who criticized his work, I am one to applaud what he has done so far. He opted to sit back and analyze what he had before doing anything. By doing so, he gave himself a chance to weigh out whether to settle and try and build around what others failed to, or simply start fresh.
Shanahan’s approach to this season was just let it play itself out and re-evaluate at the end of the year. So now, just a few weeks after his first season ended, Shanahan stepped up and began his plan he put together throughout the year. He fired general manager Dave Nonis, interim head coach Peter Horachek, assistant coach Steve Spott and every single one of his scouts. A few were lucky to hold onto their jobs, such as assistant general manager Kyle Dubas, Steve Staios, who was promoted from assistant coach to manager of player development, and Mark Hunter, who is director of player personnel.
In his end of the year press conference, Shanahan announced that he had no intentions of taking over managerial duties but will work with whoever may be in place at that time. By starting fresh he gives himself a chance to hire the right personnel to handle a rebuild and also acquire young assets. Acquiring young assets is something crucial for this team in this draft which is being called one of the deepest in a long time.
As someone who comes out of the Detroit Red Wings organization, Shanahan should turn to the those roots and follow their course of action. Every player they draft must spend time in the minors until they prove they can handle playing in the NHL full time. It could only benefit them in the long term.
All in all, I agree with everything Shanahan has done with the Leafs this season. He is finally going to come in and do things correctly instead of trying to fast track. Toronto fans should be excited for their future, but they must be patient because Shanahan is just getting started.