Maple Leafs give Shanahan six-year extension as president

The Toronto Maple Leafs are sticking to the “Shanaplan.”

The team announced Tuesday afternoon that president and alternate governor Brendan Shanahan signed a six-year extension with the club, running through the 2024-25 season.

"Brendan's positive impact on this team has not only been felt on the ice, where the team is on an impressive path, but throughout the league, with the Leafs alumni, and in the community,” chairman of the board for MLSE Larry Tanenbaum said in a press release. “We look forward to continued success for the Maple Leafs under Brendan's leadership over the next six years."

Despite the bad taste in fans’ mouths after another first-round exit at the hands of the rival Boston Bruins, it can hardly be argued that Shanahan’s tenure with the organization hasn’t led to a revitalization of the franchise.

The 50-year-old Shanahan joined the Maple Leafs in 2014, taking them from a 68-point team in his first season to one that has made three-straight playoff appearances and posted back-to-back 100-plus point seasons.

Maple Leafs fans could have maybe felt a little nervous about a possible exit from Shanahan, as his former teammate Steve Yzerman has begun the process of building his own front office with the nearby Detroit Red Wings.

To hear Shanny tell it, that scenario was never close to happening. “When MLSE approached me several months ago to discuss an extension, I told them this would be quite simple as I've had no desire to leave what we've started here with the Maple Leafs."

To take stock of the franchise, that’s now John Tavares, Auston Matthews, William Nylander, and Shanahan signed to stay long-term. Mitch Marner’s time to sign on the dotted line won’t be far behind.

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