The New York Islanders have received permission from the Toronto Maple Leafs to interview Brendan Shanahan for a possible front-office position, multiple reports confirmed on Wednesday.
Shanahan, 56, a Hockey Hall of Famer, has spent the last 11 years with the Maple Leafs as team president and alternate governor. His current contract with Toronto is set to expire next month.
He was initially hired by Tim Leiweke, then-president of Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment. Leiweke now holds the position of president at Oak View Group — the company that developed UBS Arena, the Islanders’ home, and owns half of the venue.
In the second year of Shanahan’s tenure with the Leafs, he played a role in bringing in Hall of Fame executive Lou Lamoriello as general manager. Notably, Lamoriello has been with the Islanders for the past seven years. Although New York declined to extend his contract, which ends on March 30, Lamoriello is expected to remain in an advisory role.
With both the president and general manager roles currently vacant, it remains unclear exactly what position the Islanders are considering Shanahan for. However, any new hire will be expected to guide the team through a significant transition. After making back-to-back appearances in the Stanley Cup semifinals in 2020 and 2021, the Islanders have missed the playoffs in two of the last four seasons.
Other candidates reportedly under consideration for the front-office overhaul include Los Angeles Kings assistant GM Marc Bergevin, Tampa Bay Lightning assistant GM Mathieu Darche, and former Columbus Blue Jackets GM Jarmo Kekalainen.
Whoever lands in leadership will face big decisions. Among them: the opportunity to appoint a new head coach, which could bring an end to Patrick Roy’s 16-month tenure. The new leadership will also oversee the club’s top selection in the 2025 NHL Draft, where the Islanders hold the No. 1 overall pick.
- SCCG Management. The Gambling Industry’s Global Connector. Access Here.
- Source: SCCGManagement.com