Shane Doan & Maple Leafs Officially Part Ways

Shane Doan (Patrick Breen/The Republic)

Shane Doan & Maple Leafs Officially Part Ways

Originally posted on The Hockey Writers
By Spencer Lazary | Last updated May 11, 2026 12:59 PM ET

The Toronto Maple Leafs and Shane Doan, who served as a special advisor, have officially agreed to part ways. This news has been rumoured to be happening after John Chayka was hired as the team’s new GM.

Doan is now a free agent and is free to sign with any other team within their front office.

Doan & Maple Leafs Part Ways

The news of Doan leaving the Maple Leafs was largely due to his history with Chayka when they were both with the Arizona Coyotes. As my colleague The Old Prof pointed out in a recent article about Doan. The issue between these two came back in June of 2017.

The most infamous chapter for Doan came in June 2017. Chayka invited Doan to breakfast at First Watch in Scottsdale. Doan thought it was a conversation about leadership, direction, maybe even his future with the club. Instead, about eight minutes into the meeting, he was told the team no longer wanted him.

After spending 21 years with an organization and then being told you are no longer wanted, it has to be a hard thing to hear.

However, now, even after parting with the Maple Leafs, his time in management may not be over. He has interviewed with the Vancouver Canucks for their GM opening and could be one of the finalists. Even in an assistant GM role, which could be with any NHL club. It would be a full circle moment if he were to be hired on in a front office role with the Buffalo Sabres, to be within the same organization as his son, Josh Doan.

Regardless, at this time, Doan is a free agent and will be looking for a job, just two years after joining the Maple Leafs’ front office under Brad Treliving.

This article first appeared on The Hockey Writers and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: