Toronto Maple Leafs: The Shanahan Rebuild So Far
By Robb Ellis
Apr 13, 2015; Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Toronto Maple Leafs president Brendan Shanahan talks to the press during a press conference at Air Canada Centre. Mandatory Credit: Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports
The Early Months
Shanahan began his tenure with the Leafs on April 14/ 2014. He had little to say that day and certainly gave no hints as to what was to come in his first year in his new position.
“This is the time for me to start learning about the organization from top to bottom,” he told a news conference. “It’s a time for me to listen, to learn and get to work. That’s all that’s really worked for me in my career. That’s what’s worked for me when I was done playing hockey and that’s what I intend to do here.” (Toronto Star)
Many eyebrows were raised when Shanahan brought his first new blood into the organization. On July 22/ 2014, he lured 28-year old Kyle Dubas away from his job as GM of the OHL’s Sault St. Marie Greyhounds, bringing him in as the assistant general manager to David Nonis.
Brendan Shanahan says he "polled the hockey world" to find out who the great up-and-coming minds are in hockey. Led him to Kyle Dubas.
— Chris Johnston (@reporterchris) July 22, 2014
Three months later, he hired Mark Hunter as the director of player personnel. Hunter was a fixture for over twelve years in London as the owner, vice president, and general manager of the OHL’s Knights.
New Leafs executive Mark Hunter on the kind of players he looks for: "I like skilled guys." http://t.co/EhLiQJCBfX
— James Mirtle (@mirtle) October 21, 2014
On the surface, Hunter and Dubas look like complete opposites. Mark Hunter played 628 NHL games with five different organizations. Dubas started working for the Greyhounds at the age of 11 as a stickboy before working his way up through the ranks. Hunter watches A LOT of games every season and has a reputation as a guy “who finds players.”
Dubas watches a lot of games as well but can be considered a bit more “new school” and is a big “analytics guy.” The obvious common denominator in the hiring of these two men is the fact that they simply know junior hockey and the talent it has to offer. A look at the Leafs’ shoddy draft record over the past 30 years would be reason enough for Shanahan to bring in both of them to help shape the organization in the years to come.
Next: Shanny Goes Silent