Another blow for Brendan Shanahan…

Toronto Maple Leafs president Brendan Shanahan parted ways with the club on Thursday. It was the end of an evelen-year tenure in Toronto for Shanahan, who was hired back on April 11, 2014, and oversaw the construction of a core group of Auston Mathews, William Nylander, Mitch Marner and John Tavares.

The decision to part ways with the Leafs came less than a week after Toronto’s season ended with a 6-1 loss to the Florida Panthers in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Second Round.

When it was confirmed that Shanahan would not be back in Toronto, there had been reports that the Islanders had requested permission to interview him since general manager and team president Lou Lamoriello is not return in New York for 2025-26.

However earlier on Friday, it was reported that Mathieu Darche will become the Isles’ general manager, and according to Arthur Staples and David Pagnotta, Darche is not planning on adding Shanahan to the management team in New York.

“From what I’ve heard, Darche hiring likely takes Brendan Shanahan off the table for Isles president spot. No other hires imminent, source says. Plenty of time left in the offseason for that to change,” wrote Staples.

“With Darche in as Isles GM, I’m hearing no additional management hires are expected on Long Island in the near future - Brendan Shanahan is not joining the club at this time,” also posted Pagnotta.

Not sure what it means for Shanahan and his future in the NHL.

In Shanahan’s 11 seasons, the Maple Leafs reached the postseason nine times but won two playoff series, against the Tampa Bay Lightning in the first round in 2023 and the Ottawa Senators in the first round this year. But that’s where it ended…

And not quite sure where it goes next for Shanahan…