Rumblings of ex-Red Wing Brendan Shanahan taking over Original Six franchise as general manager

Brendan Shanahan was fired from his position as president of the Toronto Maple Leafs in May 2025. Since then, he has accepted roles working in a limited capacity in junior hockey and the NHL.

He recently took on a job outside of the NHL, leading a review of men's junior hockey in Ontario.

There are rumblings from NHL Insider Chris Botta that Brendan Shanahan could return to a permanent role in the top hockey league in the world as a general manager.

His name has been floated as a candidate for the GM position with the New York Rangers.

Keep in mind that James Dolan has put his support behind GM Chris Drury of the Rangers, but with the dismal season the team is having in 2025-26, things could change quickly.

The Rangers at this point in the season have a record of 20-22-6 and are 8th in the Metropolitan Division. Drury was given an extension recently and is on his 3rd coach, Mike Sullivan.

It was reported last season that after his firing, he was interviewing with a surprising team, the New York Islanders, but nothing came to fruition. And it appears that could work to his benefit.

It's not unreasonable for Dolan to reconsider his position and give someone like Shanahan the reins. He's won three Stanley Cups with the Detroit Red Wings and has overseen a Toronto Maple Leafs organization that made consistent trips to the playoffs under Sheldon Keefe.

Shanahan played two of his last three seasons in the NHL with the Rangers, playing 140 games, and scored 108 points (52-56).

Could he be the game-changer New York needs?

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