Why It's Good That the Toronto Maple Leafs Decided to Keep Brendan Shanahan

Shanahan Properly Rebuilt the Leafs

The playoff failures are hard to ignore, but the Leafs have made the playoffs for eight consecutive seasons, tied for the longest current streak in the NHL. In five of those seasons, the Leafs reached 100 points. It would have been more if not for two shortened years due to the pandemic.

Under his watch, the Leafs properly rebuilt the team. Auston Matthews was drafted first overall, thanks to a successful tank and lottery win.

Less obvious was Shanahan overseeing the strong draft choices of William Nylander eighth overall in 2014 and Mitch Marner fourth overall in 2015. The Marner draft in particular could have gone much differently. At the time, there was much debate about who the Maple Leafs should take. Choosing Marner over Dylan Strome and Noah Hanifin was the best choice.

Shanahan is also responsible for bringing some prestige to the Leafs. At the start of his tenure, everyone rightfully applauded his big-name acquisitions of head coach Mike Babcock and general manager Lou Lamoriello, which brought esteem to the organization.

Pundits may argue that he is on the fourth general manager of his tenure, but a closer look reveals some extenuating circumstances.

Shanahan inherited Dave Nonis, part of an unsuccessful prior Leafs regime. The hiring of Lamoriello brought credibility to the Maple Leafs organization. He then understandably went to a younger option in Kyle Dubas, instead of reupping and committing long-term to an aging Lamoriello.

While the details remain a mystery, Shanahan turned to Treliving when Dubas wanted more power and money a year ago.

Shanahan's coaching decisions are warranted. Randy Carlyle was hired before his arrival. He fired Carlyle and replaced him with interim Peter Horachek to finish out the lost season of 2014-2015.

The hiring of Babcock in 2015 was bold and considered a good move at the time. When Babcock's ways had run their course, Shanahan made the right move in relieving him of his job.

Then, Keefe arrived and became the most successful regular-season coach in Maple Leafs history. Shanahan was more than patient with Keefe as he learned the ropes of playoff hockey, until it necessarily became time for another voice and different message behind the Leafs bench.