ETNEWSUPDATE – NHL NEWS & ODDS – In a significant shake-up that could influence how sportsbooks view the Toronto Maple Leafs heading into the 2025–26 NHL season, Brendan Shanahan will not return as team president. The announcement came just days after Toronto’s latest playoff flameout — a 6-1 Game 7 loss to the Florida Panthers, ending their Eastern Conference Second Round series.
Shanahan’s 11-season run as the face of Leafs hockey operations saw a major rebuild, consistent playoff berths, and the development of a star-studded core. But in the world of high-stakes hockey, success is measured in Stanley Cups — not regular-season wins, and the ultimate prize never materialized.
📉 Betting Impact: Leafs Futures and Stanley Cup Odds
With Shanahan stepping aside and no successor named, betting markets are already reacting. Some sportsbooks have lengthened Toronto’s Stanley Cup futures, while others are holding steady, waiting for clarity on the team’s next move.
Key questions for bettors:
- Will the core four — Auston Matthews, Mitch Marner, William Nylander, and John Tavares — remain intact?
- Could we see blockbuster trades as new leadership puts its stamp on the franchise?
- How will this affect the Leafs’ consistency under head coach Craig Berube, who led the team to a division title in his first year?
Early 2025–26 Cup odds had Toronto in the +900 to +1200 range — expect movement as front office decisions unfold.
🔁 A Rebuild Without Results
Shanahan, a Hall of Fame winger and three-time Stanley Cup champion with Detroit, was brought in back in 2014 to oversee a turnaround. He helped orchestrate the draft selections of Matthews (No. 1, 2016), Marner (No. 4, 2015), and Nylander (No. 8, 2014), while signing Tavares as a free agent in 2018.
But under Shanahan’s leadership:
- The Leafs made the playoffs 9 times in 11 years
- Won just 2 playoff series — in 2023 and 2025
- Failed to reach the Conference Final
From a betting perspective, the Leafs have long been a popular but high-risk futures pick, often dominating regular-season props but falling short when it matters most.
🗣️ Shanahan Speaks: “My Biggest Regret”
In a statement, Shanahan acknowledged the disappointment:
“While I am proud of the rebuild we embarked on in 2014, ultimately, I came here to help win the Stanley Cup — and we did not. That is my biggest regret.”
He also thanked fans, staff, and alumni, calling his time with the Leafs “one of the greatest honours of my life.”
🧩 What’s Next for Bettors to Watch
- Roster Changes: With Marner and Tavares entering contract years (UFA-eligible July 1), watch for line movement on any trade rumours.
- Front Office Odds: No replacement has been named, but watch for markets to open on next team president or potential high-profile hires.
- Coach Berube’s Leash: A new president may bring a new GM or push for changes behind the bench, impacting season-long bets like Jack Adams Award futures.
🎯 Betting Takeaway
Toronto remains one of the NHL’s most bet-on teams, but with Shanahan out and playoff disappointments fresh, the market may see the Leafs as a high-variance play in 2025–26.
If you’re betting futures, tread carefully — there’s potential value if management delivers bold changes, but instability could just as easily trigger another lost season.
