'Embarrassed' Maple Leafs consider moving on from president Brendan Shanahan, granted permission to speak with $1.9B franchise: Reports

Year 11 as President of Hockey Operations of the Toronto Maple Leafs was no different than any of the previous 10 for Brendan Shanahan.

A ninth consecutive playoff appearance once again ended in disappointing fashion, as we all saw the Maple Leafs get dismantled 6-1 by the Florida Panthers in Game 7 at home on Sunday night.

That now marks 11 years on the job for Brendan Shanahan, with just two playoff series wins to show for it, and this most recent loss feels like the end of an era. With several key contracts expiring, including Shanahan's, the Maple Leafs have the opportunity to truly shake up the core of their organization for the first time in a decade.

TSN hockey insider Chris Johnston shared the latest he's hearing on the 56-year-old's future with the team in an article for The Athletic. He posted the link to the piece on X (formerly Twitter).

"The way that series ended has left ownership disappointed and embarrassed, according to sources. As close as the Leafs were to taking a meaningful step from previous seasons, the way they lost made it feel a little farther from reach," Johnston wrote.

"However, when it comes to determining Shanahan’s future and the hierarchy of the team’s hockey operations structure moving forward, ownership recognizes the need to take a methodical approach. They don’t want to make any knee-jerk or emotional decisions," Johnston added.

Brendan Shanahan just finished the final season of the six-year contract extension he signed to remain with the Maple Leafs in 2019.

The New York Islanders granted permission to speak with Brendan Shanahan

While Brendan Shanahan's time in Toronto may be up, another organization is interested in his services.

Reports have surfaced that the New York Islanders, worth $1.9 billion per Forbes, have requested permission to speak with Shanahan. Insider Elliotte Friedman shared the news on X, revealing that the Maple Leafs has granted the permission.

"Permission requested — and granted

The New York Islanders are currently without a general manager or president of hockey operations after parting ways with longtime front office leader Lou Lamoriello.

This should be an interesting situation to follow in the coming days and weeks of the 2025 NHL offseason.