Dan Hamilton-Imagn Images

Eastern Conference Team Refuses to Give Job to Brendan Shanahan Per Report

Originally posted on House of Hockey | By Jack Sutherland | Last updated May 24, 2025 10:01 PM ET

Not long after Brendan Shanahan was let go by the Toronto Maple Leafs after another playoff failure, one club reportedly decided against giving him a job with their franchise.

Following their latest failure in the Stanley Cup Playoffs, the Toronto Maple Leafs decided to make a major change in leadership.

They announced that the contract of team president Brendan Shanahan would not be renewed; he had been on the job for over 10 years, and while he oversaw several fantastic years in regular season play, the Leafs won only 2 playoff series.

Before the announcement was made by the Maple Leafs that Shanahan would not be back, reports surfaced that the New York Islanders sought permission to speak to them about their open role that was recently vacated by Lou Lamoriello, whom Shanahan worked with briefly when he was with Toronto.

However, the Islanders have now reportedly decided against hiring Shanahan. Per NHL analyst Pierre LeBrun, there was a conversation between the two sides but no deal materialized; they instead hired Mathieu Darche.

Just to close the loop on the Islanders and Brendan Shanahan, they did talk this week. But there isn't a fit at this point. Believe it was a good conversation but there won't be a hire there. Mathieu Darche has both GM and EVP of Hockey titles.

LeBrun noted that Shanahan won't have to wait long to find a new job, however.

That second title is noteworthy. It's basically president of hockey level. Shanahan is well respected among owners, he will re-surface somewhere at some point for sure.

Before taking the job with the Maple Leafs, Shanahan was the NHL's chief disciplinarian for a time. Prior to that, he enjoyed a Hall of Fame playing career that included 3 Stanley Cup wins and an induction into the Hockey Hall of Fame.

This article first appeared on House of Hockey and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: