Maple Leafs Sports and Entertainment CEO Tim Leiweke is looking into the possibility of shake up the front office of his hockey team after the Toronto Maple Leafs’ recent collapse.
Leiweke has interest in bringing in NHL disciplinarian Brendan Shanahan for a potential hockey role with the Leafs, sources told Sportsnet’s Nick Kypreos.
Leiweke has publicly defended general manager Dave Nonis many times throughout the season and he is unlikely to lose his job if Shanahan was brought in. Shanahan could serve as a ‘buffer’ between Leiweke and Nonis.
On the ice, Leiweke would reportedly like to see improved leadership and chemistry .
Many already expect the Leafs to consider replacing head coach Randy Carlyle after Toronto faded down the stretch and were eliminated from post-season contention with 10 losses in their last 12 games. Toronto was in fourth place in the Eastern Conference as recently as March 15.
Shanahan, who was inducted the Hockey Hall of Fame last October, does not have any experience in an executive role with an NHL team.
He was named the NHL’s vice president of hockey and business development in December 2009 before replacing Colin Campbell as the NHL’s chief player disciplinarian in June of 2011.
