The departure of Toronto Maple Leafs’ president Brendan Shanahan could be the first pebble that starts a landslide of exits. Shanahan was in the final season of a six-year contract with the Leafs organization on Thursday, May 22, stating that it would not be renewed.
“Our responsibility and driving motivation, however, is to add a new chapter to the Maple Leafs’ championship history, and it was determined that a new voice was required to take the team to the next level in the years ahead,” MLSE president & CEO Keith Pelley said in the official announcement.
NHL fans and analysts are speculating which players could be next to leave as the Leafs potentially begin clearing house.
3 Maple Leafs Players Who Could Be Next
1. Mitch Marner
Part of the Maple Leafs “Core Four” offensive group, Mitch Marner is set to become a UFA soon, depending on contract specifics. His future in Toronto is hanging in the balance after yet another disappointing postseason performance. Marner was booed by the home crowd when he took the ice in the game where the Maple Leafs were eliminated from the playoffs. Reports of him and his family “facing borderline harassment” by angry Toronto fans have also emerged, which is sure to sour the relationship further. Marner and his agent’s refusal to discuss a new deal during the season and his allegedly declining to waive his no-trade clause in March would also have put him on the outs with the Maple Leafs’ organization.
Mitch Marner had this to say on his tenure with the Toronto Maple Leafs pic.twitter.com/uCGuw7xXkT
— TSN (@TSN_Sports)
There’s no shortage of teams expressing interest in Marner, from the Los Angeles Kings to the Carolina Hurricanes and Colorado Avalanche. Even rebuilding teams like the Chicago Blackhawks are waiting in the wings. Multiple experts have claimed that Marner’s time with the Leafs may be over.
2. John Tavares
The 35-year-old John Tavares will also see his contract expire at the end of the current season. Since joining the franchise in 2018, Tavares has been a key part of the Leafs’ core four and even spent years as team captain. However, with Toronto looking to mount a fresh challenge next season and looking to sign some big-name players, they might not be willing to match what other clubs will offer Tavares.
3. Joseph Woll
Joseph Woll signed a three-year contract extension before the current season, which will see the Maple Leafs take a cap hit of $3.66 million for his salary. While Woll did well with head coach Craig Berube’s alternating goalie strategy during the regular season, his disappointing playoff performances and the fact that he lost the starting goalie spot to Anthony Stolarz this season, coupled with the Leafs’ focus on re-signing young players like Matthew Knies could mean that they’ll move Woll to gain salary cap space.
