The New York Islanders were granted permission to speak with Toronto Maple Leafs President of Hockey Operations Brendan Shanahan, as they look to fill a similar void. Is he a good fit?
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18 Comments
I'm okay with Shanahan as POHO under one condition. If Mathieu Darche is the choice for GM, he must be granted "final say" on personnel decisions. Shanahan should be a "figure head" only. Darche would have no reason to leave Tampa if he has to report to Shanahan every time he wants to make a decision. Collins may see Shanahan as a way to lure Marner here.
I’m good with it. If not him who else
No to Shanahan, no to Mitch Marner, yes to Matthew Darche. Jarmo Kekaleinan for NY Isles President of Hockey Ops
As if Shanny didn’t mess up Toronto! Hell no! I don’t care if Collins worked with Shanny! No jobs for anyone from Toronto! No no no! No more Lou connections! No more giving friends jobs! No anything Toronto!
I get you, but he's only gone to the 2nd round in 9 YEARS. 4:00 MINUTE MARK: How can you say you value regular season success over winning a Stanley Cup; that's a flat out ridiculous point. Do you not know the history of this franchise and how Bill Torrey built got this franchise to get to the playoffs in 3 seasons and built a dynasty team by year 8. That was luck???? The reason you play this game is to win the Stanley Cup. This is literally an INSANE TAKE. Come on, Mitch…
If Shanny is hired (and I hope he is) – he must pick the GM. Can't put the cart before the horse. Reports are dropping fast in T.O, that Traliving might be out as GM as well after one season, after winning the division – something the Leafs have only captured twice in 81 years – Yup, you read that right! – the owner (Rogers) is apparently in clean up mode, Fans/media in T.O want blood and the owner is out to get it for them. Leafs been losing for 58 years, Shanny did a lot to almost change that laughable losing heater on his first only President's job. Shanahan built the current Leafs team, every trade deadline, every off-season made signifigant moves to better the team, he wants to win and doesn't sit on his hands. He also got deals signed on young players drafted by the team without having to trade them away. Leafs lost because Tavs and Matthews are heartless, shamefully disappear as the 1-2 punch and both have won nothing EVER … NOTHING, and as the 1-2 punch failed to take the next step. If Shanny has a fault, it was trusting Tavs and Matthews to get them to hockey heaven – and if he traded them away, the city would be torn down by Leafs fans. Can't ever forget, the Island went to back2back CF's after losing Tavs, much better than Tavs ever did with a stacked Leafs team.
The PoHo has a dual mandate: build up the organization and compete for a Stanley Cup. There is a reason why the TML are letting him speak to the Isles: because he hasn't achieved the latter (which is more important).
Isn't this the guy that signed Tavares away from us? I'll pass.
he's got a hell of a resume…… said nobody
Just wondering why Dubas was talking to Penguins when he was not given permission ? Bypassed through an agent ?
An average GM should be able to take a bad team to a decent one and a very good team to a winning team. The hard job is taking a good team to a winner. I don't know that he can do that.
We need him bc he'll get us marner
Misa marner barzel Ritchie horvat look st the names that could be on your top 2 lines
We’ll take a bag of pucks from Islanders in return!
The Isles would LOVE to be in Toronto’s position…Shanny POHO – the dude from Tampa as GM- Berube head coach. Done.
I don't want leafs recycling again
I sent this letter to Collins today. I'm not at all pleased with Bergevin or Shanahan. Like at all.
Dear Mr. Collins,
I’m writing to share a perspective on the search for the next General Manager of the New York Islanders.
While I understand the desire to hire someone with prior front-office experience, I urge you to consider the example of Bill Torrey. When he became GM of the Islanders, he had minimal experience—having only briefly managed the Oakland Seals and starting his career in community relations with the AHL’s Pittsburgh Hornets. Despite that, he built one of the greatest dynasties in NHL history, guided by vision and originality rather than conventional experience.
Many "experienced" candidates tend to follow familiar, risk-averse models that may lead to competent results but rarely to greatness. In contrast, Torrey succeeded because he had a distinct philosophy—building through the draft, emphasizing character and role-fit, and blending youth with veteran leadership. That approach wasn’t a template; it was foresight.
Today’s Islanders suffer from a lack of that kind of vision. Our previous GM relied on strategies that, while once effective, no longer suit the modern game. Candidates like Marc Bergevin or Brendan Shanahan may bring credentials, but I believe fresh thinkers—such as Mark Janko, Mathieu Darche, Bill Scott, or Mark Yannetti—deserve serious consideration. Each could offer a new direction that breaks from past molds.
I ask you to reflect: if a young Bill Torrey applied today, would he even make the shortlist? Don’t overlook someone simply for lacking a GM title. Instead, equip that person with the tools—elite scouting, analytics, and staff support—to turn vision into reality.
Do that, and perhaps one day we’ll celebrate together as the Islanders hoist their fifth Stanley Cup.
Sincerely, Marcus.
Do you know what you say when a Hall of Famer, with 3 cup rings by the way, shows an interest in being President of Hockey Ops for your franchise which hasn't won a Cup in 41+ years…and I know because I was there on Hempstead Turnpike for the last parade? You say welcome to Long Island. The object is to put someone into the job who knows how to win…I can guarantee this man KNOWS how to win…I saw him play, he not only was very talented, he was a very smart hockey player….honestly he is over qualified for the job!