“Won’t Be Forgotten,” Maple Leafs Fans Shower SUPPORT Towards Brendan Shanahan as Team Axes Him as President Following Game 7 Loss

The Toronto Maple Leafs reached the playoffs in 9 of the 11 seasons under the leadership of Brendan Shanahan since 2014.

“Won’t Be Forgotten,” Maple Leafs Fans Shower SUPPORT Towards Brendan Shanahan as Team Axes Him as President Following Game 7 Loss

Brendan Shanahan (Image via X/@Sportsnet)

It’s the end of an era at the Toronto Maple Leafs. On Thursday, the Toronto-based outfit announced that the team President, Brendan Shanahan, will no longer be part of the franchise. His contract will not be renewed, bringing an end to a 11-year stay.

The 56-year-old was in the final year of his six-year contract, which he signed in May 2019. In his 11 seasons, the team saw several transformations including the beginning of the ‘Core 4’ era while bringing in Auston Matthews, Mitch Marner, John Tavares and William Nylander.

The Maple Leafs’ season came to an end this past Sunday as they suffered another Game 7 elimination. The team lost 6-1 against the Florida Panthers in Game 7 at the Scotiabank Arena and were eliminated from the second-round.

Following this huge defeat, there were some rumors that Shanahan’s time could be up. On Thursday, this became true as the team announced his departure. Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment president and CEO Keith Pelley would hail Shanahan as one of the most “respected leaders” in the game in a statement.

Over the past 11 seasons, Brendan Shanahan has made countless contributions to the Toronto Maple Leafs on the ice, off the ice and in the community… The franchise will be forever grateful for Brendan’s contributions and wish him and his family every success and happiness in the future.

In his 11 seasons in-charge, the Maple Leafs reached the Stanley Cup playoffs on 9 occasions. However, the team only made it to the second round twice, once in 2023 and the other this season. Both times, they were later eliminated from the second round by the Panthers.

Social media reacts to firing of Brendan Shanahan by Maple Leafs

The Toronto Maple Leafs suffered another heartbreak as they got crushed 6-1 by their division rivals in Game 7. After the team lost in the playoffs again, the management decided to take a major step and relieve President Brendan Shanahan off his duties.

Brendan Shanahan
Brendan Shanahan (Image via X/@BR_OpenIce)

Several fans on X would shower support to Shanahan following his dismissal. While some once again took shots at the players for underperforming, many thanked the hockey Hall of Famer for his contributions to the team. One user wrote, “You will never be forgotten” while reacting to this development.

Check out that and some other fan reactions from X below:

Before he joined the Maple Leafs, he worked for the NHL. This included three seasons as vice president of player safety.

In his 21-season playing career, Shanahan appeared for the New Jersey Devils, St. Louis Blues, Hartford Whalers, Detroit Red Wings, and New York Rangers. He won 3 Stanley Cups with the Red Wings and sits 14th in the NHL All-Time goal scorers list with 656 goals.

Maple Leafs name Brad Treliving in charge of hockey operations following Brendan Shanahan’s exit

Brendan Shanahan’s 11-year stay with the Toronto Maple Leafs came to an end on Thursday. Following his departure, team General Manager Brad Treliving was named in charge of hockey operations for the time being.

Brad Treliving and Brendan Shanahan
Brad Treliving and Brendan Shanahan (Image via Sportsnet/X/@Leafslatest)

After the firing of Shanahan, there were some wondering about the future of Treliving. Despite the team’s disappointing end to the 2024-25 season, Treliving will remain as the GM of the team. As per reports, no changes are expected in this department from the team at least until next season.

Treliving was hired just two seasons ago after Shanahan fired Kyle Dubas. In his first season, the team did reach the playoffs but were eliminated in the first round by the Boston Bruins. During his 2nd season as the GM, the team reached the second round but failed to reach the Eastern Conference Final once again.

He will now have some huge tasks on his shoulders. One of them is to try and convince Mitch Marner to stay with the team and hand him a contract extension.

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