While the Toronto Maple Leafs are on a downward spiral, their former president may be on the verge of re-entering the league. After parting ways with their president of 11 years, the Maple Leafs currently sit outside the league’s playoff picture.
Maple Leafs Ailing As Former President Explores Opportunities
Last offseason, the Maple Leafs elected to part ways with Brendan Shanahan, who served as president and alternate governor since 2014. While the position was not immediately filled, Maple Leafs Sports & Entertainment’s (MLSE) CEO, Keith Pelley, has assumed Shanahan’s previous duties, with general manager Brad Treliving reporting directly to him.
While fans and media alike were disappointed in Shanahan’s output, this season’s Maple Leafs are struggling even more. Forward Mitch Marner departed along with Shanahan in the offseason, leaving a vacant hole in Toronto’s offensive production.
While Auston Matthews, William Nylander, and John Tavares have done all they can, the team is staring an early offseason in the face for the first time since 2015-16.
On the flip side, Shanahan is on the verge of potentially earning a new role. Barry Trotz, formerly the Nashville Predators’ head coach and now general manager, announced he will step down on February 2, 2026.
With the vacant role in Nashville, RG’s James Murphy reports that Shanahan and Buffalo Sabres associate general manager Marc Bergevin are among the men in the running to obtain hockey operations duties.
“There is nothing set in stone here, but I keep hearing this could become a real scenario for Nashville,” according to RG’s source. “Shanahan would be the President of Hockey Operations and Bergevin the GM.”
Trotz stepped down as Nashville is in the midst of a tight playoff push. Currently just four points behind the Seattle Kraken, the Predators are more than capable of returning to the postseason since 2023-24.
Led by veterans Ryan O’Reilly and Steven Stamkos, Nashville has had somewhat of a resurgence thus far. O’Reilly is on pace to reach over 70 points for the first time since 2018-19, while Stamkos has already surpassed his career high in goals scored in a season with Nashville.
Longtime Predator Filip Forsberg has been a key producer as well. Second behind Stamkos in power-play goals, the Swedish native has lit the lamp a total of 24 times this season.
Defensively, the Predators have allowed 198 goals in 2025-26, fewer than the total of the two teams currently holding playoff positions. Goaltender Juuse Saros is coming off a strong Olympic performance as well. The Finnish starting netminder helped his country win the bronze medal in Milan, Italy.
With rumors rumbling of Shanahan and Bergevin uniting Music City, could the two help propel the Predators back to an NHL powerhouse?
