As the Toronto Maple Leafs navigate a front-office shuffle, the Vancouver Canucks have reportedly inquired about hiring special advisor Shane Doan for their vacant position.
While the Toronto Maple Leafs search for a new head of hockey operations, several current front office staff members remain in a state of limbo. This includes Shane Doan, who currently serves as the Special Advisor to the General Manager in Toronto. Because Toronto is currently without a General Manager, Doan is in a precarious position, and other clubs have begun to inquire about his availability.
According to Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman, the Vancouver Canucks have sought permission to speak with Doan. The Canucks have had a vacancy at the GM position since parting ways with Patrick Allvin. While it is not yet clear if the Maple Leafs granted this permission, there is little reason to deny the request, especially if the move represents an elevation to a role such as General Manager.
Former Maple Leafs GM Brad Treliving hired Doan in June 2023, just days after taking the reins of the team. To join Toronto, Doan left the Arizona Coyotes, where he had served in a mostly ceremonial front-office capacity. The opportunity in Toronto was significant enough for Doan to leave his long-time club, though the Coyotes relocated to Utah just one season later.
Following his initial hire in Toronto, Doan expressed his motivation for the move:
"I think you have to go where people are going to improve you, and I think Tree [Treliving] is one of the best managers there is around," Doan said during a Zoom session with the media. "Getting an opportunity to work with him was huge".
During his tenure in Toronto, Doan commuted between his home and the city while joining the team on road trips. A move to Vancouver would bring him significantly closer to his home in Arizona. However, the top priority for the 21-season veteran player is career advancement, and the Canucks offer a clear opportunity for growth.