Brendan Shanahan was the first domino to fall in an offseason expected to be full of change.
On Thursday, the Toronto Maple Leafs announced that the longtime President and Alternate Governor would not return, ending an 11-year tenure that oversaw both a rebuild and a string of nine consecutive playoff appearances, but limited postseason success.
With Shanahan out, more major decisions are to come, and none are bigger than the future of star winger and pending unrestricted free agent Mitch Marner.
On Friday, Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment (MLSE) President and CEO Keith Pelley addressed the media for the first time since Shanahan’s departure. While much of the focus was on the organization’s shifting front-office structure, Marner’s uncertain future was understandably brought up in conversation.
“He's one of the most prolific scorers we've ever had,” Pelley explained. “I haven't had the privilege of watching his magic over the last number of years, only the last year. We'll see what happens with Mitch Marner in the weeks ahead.”
'I Haven't Processed Anything Yet': Does Mitch Marner Want To Return To The Maple Leafs Next Season?
As soon as the final horn sounded after the Toronto Maple Leafs' <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4r4M5avm5oA&t=453s">6-1 loss to the Florida Panthers</a> in Game 7 of their second-round series, Mitch Marner was the very last player to leave the ice. He looked like a player who may have played his last game with the club.
Pelley didn’t give too much away, but his comments were still somewhat revealing, especially when he confirmed there are no immediate plans to replace Shanahan’s role. Instead, general manager Brad Treliving will report directly to him and, alongside head coach Craig Berube, will play a central role in determining Marner’s fate.
Adding to that, Pelley said he plans to let hockey guys make hockey decisions to steer the on-ice product of the organization in the right direction.
“My plan right now is to not replace Brendan, and Brad will be our GM. Whether he takes on a larger role is something that will be determined down the road,” Pelley said.
“There are a lot of people with a lot of experience. You look at the Shane Doans. You look at Brandon Pridham. So Brad and I will have that conversation. He's got one of the best signing boards in Craig Berube. He's won a Stanley Cup. And I'm a firm believer that the coach has to be involved more than just on the day of the game and in the dressing room. And we have a wonderful asset in Craig, and we have a wonderful asset in Brad. And they'll surround themselves with the resources that they need,” he added.
MLSE CEO Keith Pelley Explains Decision Not To Hire New Maple Leafs President After Brendan Shanahan’s Dismissal
Fans stood alongside Legends Row before Scotiabank Arena, taking photos with the Toronto Maple Leafs' icons. At the same time, Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment president and CEO <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nzx3yMu-JNY">Keith Pelley sat less than 15 feet away</a>, inside the building, discussing another early playoff exit for his hockey club.
As the Leafs’ new leadership molds into form, the decision surrounding Marner remains the most pressing. He just completed a six-year, $65.4 million contract on the ice and is set to hit the free-agent market if a deal is not struck before July 1. Reports indicated the Leafs previously explored a potential deal with the Carolina Hurricanes for Mikko Rantanen at the trade deadline, but Marner declined to waive his no-movement clause.
The 28-year-old was booed every time he touched the puck in the third period in Game 7 of the Leafs’ second-round series against the Florida Panthers, a 6-1 loss that may have marked his final game as a Maple Leaf. Despite having a strong regular-season output and consistent point production in his tenure, Marner and the rest of Toronto’s ‘Core Four’ have failed to deliver when it matters most, advancing past the first round only twice in the last nine seasons.
'I Was Saddened By That' MLSE CEO Keith Pelley Reflects on Fans' Anger During Maple Leafs Playoff Elimination Games
One day after Keith Pelley informed Brendan Shanahan he would not be renewed as Toronto Maple Leafs president and alternate governor, the Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment CEO described his emotions of having to sit through two consecutive embarrassing 6-1 losses to the Florida Panthers in the second round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
Throughout the year, the former No. 4 overall pick declined to speak publicly about contract talks, saying he was focused solely on helping the team win. During locker clean-out day on Tuesday, he reiterated that message while acknowledging the uncertainty ahead.
“I’ve always loved my time here, I loved being here. Like I said to you guys the other night, I’ve been so grateful, I haven’t processed anything yet, still so fresh and losing sucks,” said Marner.
“It’s tough to really think about anything going forward and future-wise. I was hoping to be playing hockey again tonight, and that’s not the outcome. I haven’t thought about anything. In the next coming weeks, I’ll sit down with my wife and we’ll start talking and trying to figure out what the next steps are,” he added.
Marner has spent all nine years of his NHL career with the Leafs. In 657 regular-season games, he has registered 221 goals, 520 assists, and 741 points. In the postseason, he's added 13 goals, 50 assists, and 63 points in 70 games.
It’s unclear if the forward will be re-signed to “run it back.”
So, whether the next steps keep him in Toronto or send him elsewhere, remains to be seen, but Berube would “100 percent” like to see him in a Leafs uniform, he said on Tuesday. With a new structure in place, the Leafs are preparing for what could be the most transformative summer in this era, with Marner at the forefront.
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