Report: Maple Leafs, Shane Doan part ways after three seasons

Toronto Maple Leafs special advisor to the general manager Shane Doan has parted ways with the organization, The Athletic’s Pierre LeBrun reports.

Doan was hired by the Maple Leafs on June 9, 2023 to help with day-to-day operations, as a key advisor to Brad Treliving. Treliving was fired by the Maple Leafs on March 30. John Chayka was formally introduced as Maple Leafs general manager on May 4, while Mats Sundin will serve as senior executive advisor to hockey operations.

Doan’s contract was scheduled to expire on June 30, LeBrun reports. Given that Doan was directly tied to Treliving’s regime, many believed that he would be moving onto a new venture once the Maple Leafs hired their new leadership team.

Chayka served as general manager of the Arizona Coyotes during the final season of Doan’s playing career. Doan then spent time working alongside Chayka in the Coyotes’ front office.

Doan will certainly have no shortage of options during the next phase of his career. Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman reported on April 23 that the Vancouver Canucks asked the Maple Leafs for permission to interview Doan for their general manager vacancy. Vancouver has yet to hire a general manager, with Boston Bruins AGM Evan Gold and Canucks AGM Ryan Johnson as the two reported finalists. Doan could emerge as a popular candidate for a general manager vacancy within the next year.

It’ll be compelling to see how Chayka and Sundin restructure the front office, during another summer that promises seismic change, with the Maple Leafs holding the first overall pick in the 2026 NHL Draft.

Doan was highly regarded within the Maple Leafs’ organization, and will bring a wealth of expertise to his next venture. He recorded 402 goals and 972 points during a 1,502-game playing career, where he holds several Coyotes/Winnipeg Jets franchise records.

At the time of this filing, the Maple Leafs haven’t named a direct replacement for Doan.