Toronto Maple Leafs Sports & Entertainment president and CEO Keith Pelley announced Friday the organization won’t replace team president Brendan Shanahan.
Pelley confirmed that Brad Treliving will continue as general manager and Craig Berube will remain head coach.
Under the new structure, Treliving will report directly to Pelley instead of to Shanahan as he did previously.
“I have my utmost confidence in Brad and my utmost confidence in Craig,” Pelley said. “I’m not looking to replace Brendan. I’m looking to work closer with Brad and work closer with Craig.”
Whether Treliving takes on expanded responsibilities is “something that will be determined down the road,” according to Pelley.
Treliving and his staff will maintain control of all hockey operations decisions.
“I’m not going to be deciding who we draft and what free agents we’re going to sign,” Pelley said. “My role is to be a sounding board. My role is to try to create a culture and chemistry within that organization that builds a culture of winning championships.”
The Maple Leafs announced Thursday they won’t renew Shanahan’s contract after his 11 seasons with the team.
“This was my decision,” Pelley said. “I had the support of ownership.”
Shanahan’s exit follows another early playoff elimination for the Maple Leafs. The team has made the playoffs nine consecutive seasons — the longest active streak in the NHL — but hasn’t advanced past the second round since 2002.
Toronto pushed the defending Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers to seven games before losing 6-1 at home in the deciding contest.
Treliving wasn’t at the press conference as he was attending his daughter’s graduation in Calgary. Pelley plans to meet with him for dinner on Sunday. He already had dinner with Berube on Thursday.
When asked about pending unrestricted free agents Mitch Marner and John Tavares, Pelley said those decisions would be Treliving’s but indicated he’s open to roster changes.
“Further change will probably be needed to get us to the next level and yesterday was the first step in that direction,” Pelley said.
