MLSE president and CEO Keith Pelley held a media availability at Scotiabank Arena on Friday.

What did Brendan Shanahan do wrong? What, specifically, led to the end of his tenure as president of the Maple Leafs?

"I don't think it's a one word or a one phrase or even a paragraph answer," said MLSE president and CEO Keith Pelley. "At the end of the day, Brendan has added a lot to this organization. He has revamped it. He has put it in a really good position in so many ways. But it's about results."

The Leafs have made the playoffs in nine straight seasons, which is the longest active streak in the NHL, but Toronto only advanced to the second round twice during Shanahan's 11-year run at the top of the organization.

Despite a string of early playoff exits, Shanahan kept faith that a core group including Auston Matthews, Mitch Marner, William Nylander, John Tavares and Morgan Rielly would lead the franchise back to the Stanley Cup. However, a long run never materialized as the Leafs went 2-9 in playoff series during Shanahan's presidency, including 0-7 in series-deciding games.

"This is a results-driven business, and it's about winning championships," said Pelley. "And sometimes you need change to get to the next level."

A few days after the latest Game 7 defeat ended the 2024-25 season, Pelley informed Shanahan that his expiring contract would not be renewed.

"We have to be on the pathway to win the Stanley Cup," Pelley said when asked how he'll measure success moving forward. "Our next step is to take it to the next level, and we felt that this move would help us get to the next level. But, make no mistake about it, making the playoffs and winning rounds is not our aspirational goal. Our goal is to win the Stanley Cup."

The Leafs have not made it to the third round of the playoffs since 2002.

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Pelley does not plan to hire a new president to replace Shanahan. Instead, he said he looks forward to working closer with........

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