A chat with Leafs president Shanahan
Team chief believes dealing with pressure is part of package as expectations grow
As part of a news conference Tuesday announcing festivities for the Maple Leafs’ 100th anniversary game, throwback Toronto Arenas jerseys were handed out to the dignitaries on hand, including mayor John Tory.
The classic tops the Leafs will wear on Dec. 19 against the Carolina Hurricanes proved to be a hit, with the majority of those in attendance buzzing at how spiffy they looked on models Darryl Sittler and Darcy Tucker.
Sitting up on the stage, taking in the entire scene, team president Brendan Shanahan wore a noticeable grin of satisfaction, a far cry from the stoic steel-faced look he often had during his first season running the Leafs.
Remember back to 2014-15, when disgruntled fans were chucking Leafs jerseys onto the ice instead of embracing the history and future of what the blue and white represented? Bitterness and indifference oozed through the fan base, heated emotions that were fuelled by the famed Salute-gate in which players refused to acknowledge the home crowd after a victory.
Shanahan’s response during his end-of-the-season news conference on April 13, 2015, was easy to translate: We don’t want players who don’t want to be here.
“We need to have a team with greater character,” Shanahan said at the time.
“We have to have people that represent this city, that represent this team, as it deserves.”
Calling the notion that the media and public spotlight made Toronto a difficult place to play “a cop-out,” Shanahan then added that, “We have an incredibly resilient loyal fan base. We need to have an incredibly resilient group of players who love to play in Toronto. We need a resilient group of managers from top to bottom that are committed to doing this in Toronto in spite of any difficulties or perceived difficulties that this is a harder market than other markets. I don’t believe that.”
Twenty-nine months later, Shanahan’s vision seems to be materializing in front of our very eyes. With training camp opening Thursday, these young Leafs are on the rise.
On Monday, bodog.ca listed the Leafs’ odds to win the Stanley Cup at 14-1, tying them with the Tampa Bay Lightning, Nashville Predators, Washington Capitals and Anaheim Ducks for fourthbest among the NHL’s 31 teams.
To that end, esteemed colleague Steve Simmons columnized Monday that the franchise is taking the proper steps toward its first championship in a halfcentury.
In the process, these Leafs players seem to care.
The logo on their chest and the city they represent mean something. That didn’t seem to be the case not-so-long ago. Shanahan isn’t Tim Leiweke. He isn’t publicly boasting about potential parade routes.
He understands there’s a long road ahead.
But he also acknowledges the ship is heading in the right direction, with the endgame being a Cup down the road. The days of Salute-gate and jersey tossing certainly seem way back in the rear-view mirror.
With players and coaches congregating later this week, Shanahan took time Tuesday to address a number of issues. Just call it Shanny Unplugged.
ON EMBRACING THE LOGO
Has this significantly changed from several years ago?
“There’s a lot of things that go into it, but I do get a real sense that the relationship between our players and our fans is very very good, very very strong,” Shanahan said. “There’s a mutual admiration there. The fans like our team and our team likes playing for them.
“When we get into the playoffs and we get to fill Maple Leaf Square, and they get to see that enthusiasm, the arena becomes much louder, a much more celebratory place, the players feed off of that. These are young guys who seem to embrace that spotlight and responsibility of being a Toronto Maple Leaf.”
ON THE GROWING STANLEY CUP HYPE, PART 1
Please don’t plan the parade route quite yet
“Optimism is certainly a nice thing, but I think for the people that are with our team and with our players and with our management, we’re all focused on the little things,” he said.
“It’s great that people are excited, but we know how much work has gone into this — and still will.”
ON THE GROWING STANLEY CUP HYPE, PART 2
Young team showing penchant of tuning out distractions
Shanahan is staying grounded on this matter, despite all the excitement in the city. There is, he says, so much more to do. “I’m a little hesitant,” he said. “At the end of the day, we got into the playoffs in our 81st game. We didn’t get past the first round. And still there was a lot of happiness and joy about where we could go. But we understand there’s a lot of work ahead of us.
“We’re pleased with the work we’ve put in. Our coaching staff and our management have been phenomenal. Very dedicated. And, like said, I think our fans like our players. I think our players like our fans. They enjoy being Maple Leafs. They love what’s happening in the city. But they’re also smart enough to know — which is incredible because they’re still a very young inexperienced team — that they’re just getting started.”
ON HOW MUCH WORK STILL LIES AHEAD
Coach very wise in keeping team’s eyes on the prize
In Shanahan’s opinion, malaise is not an option in coach Mike Babcock’s world.
“We’ve got such a great coaching staff and I think Mike keeps them very focused on what their job is that day every day,” Shanahan said. “And so these guys, by the time they get to the NHL, whether they’ve been around for a while or they’ve just got here, they’ve dealt with expectations.
“And you can’t be a champion in any sport unless you know how to deal with pressure and expectations, things like that. And I think we’ve got a lot of people that embrace it.
“But Mike keeps them grounded each and every day they go on the ice. They know what their job is.”
ON BRINGING IN VET PATRICK MARLEAU
Is this a message that the time to win is now?
“I think it’s a lot simpler than that. He’s a great hockey player, he’s a great ambassador, he’s a great example for our young players,” Shanahan said of Marleau, the former longtime San Jose Sharks forward.
“You talk about longevity and preparation and professionalism that Patrick brings, he’s a good hockey player.
“So I don’t think we were trying to send a message.
“We had an opportunity to add a good hockey player to our team, someone we thought would not only be an excellent fit but an excellent role model as well. And we feel we were lucky enough to get him.”
They’re also smart enough to know — which is incredible because they’re still a very young inexperienced team — that they’re just getting started.”