Shanahan has shocking answer when asked about belief in Leafs core 4

Year after year, Brendan Shanahan sat at the Leafs press conference at the end of the year and re-iterated his belief in the core four winning a Stanley Cup. Today, he couldn't bring himself to say it again.

At the end of today's press conference, Shanahan was asked directly if he thinks that the Maple Leafs core four can win a Cup, and instead he talked about the need for significant changes.





Shanahan gave a word salad of an answer, repeatedly referencing the Leafs developing a pattern of playoff failure. Obviously they wouldn't address trading a star player like Mitch Marner outright, but when asked about waiving no move clauses, Shanahan said everything is on the table.

Brendan Shanahan confirms the future of the Leafs core four players

For the first time with this core Leafs group, the town around the team is that this team can not return as is. With Leafs firing Kyle Dubas last year and now Sheldon Keefe this year, it feels truly like an end to an era in Toronto, and major change is truly coming.

Most Matthews and Nylander signed long term, Mitch Marner, Johnny Tavares, and Morgan Rielly will all be on the table. The Maple Leafs will be an extremely big player in the offseason this year, both in free agency and trade.