WATCH: Brendan Shanahan addresses the firing of Leafs’ GM Dave Nonis and head coach Peter Horachek, Alan Carter reports.
Toronto Maple Leafs’ players cleared out their lockers today after another year where they failed to make it to the post-season. As for the coaches and general manager Dave Nonis, they cleared out their offices.
Brendan Shanahan, the president of the Leafs organization, explained why Nonis and the coaches were fired during a press conference on Monday.
“During this difficult season obviously I recognized there were going to be changes,” said Shanahan. “Yesterday was a hard day but I think it was a day where we had to be decisive and take action.”
WATCH: Shanahan warns changes are coming for the Maple Leafs roster
Shanahan said that when he was interviewed for the job in Toronto he expressed he would only take the job if they were committed to making difficult decisions that could lead to winning a cup.
“It’s been an evaluation that has occurred throughout the year but obviously as we came down to the end of the season it was something that became clearer and clearer,” he said.
Get daily National news
WATCH: What traits is Brendan Shanahan looking for in the next general manager?
Shanahan added the changes are just the beginning of several changes that will include shaking up the roster. Right now, he said, the team has talented players but simply don’t have chemistry.
“They know it, we know it, and everyone in here knows it. They also understand that yesterday was just the beginning and there will be some changes.”
Leafs captain Dion Phaneuf said Monday that losing so many games this year has had a psychological toll on the players which likely had an effect on his performance on the ice.
“I feel like this year, personally, I didn’t play well enough. I take responsibility for not playing to the level I expect,” said Phaneuf. “This was the toughest year that I’ve had in my career.”
Other players on the team questioned whether or not they would still be here when the Leafs take the ice next season.
“I have no idea what’s going to happen the way the season has been. Obviously I’d like to be here it’s where I’ve been my whole career but who knows what’s going to happen,” said Leafs centre Tyler Bozak.
Joffrey Lupul took the last shot in the Leafs last game of the season on Saturday. It was a miss in the shootout against Montreal that solidified another loss. Lupul says the firings illustrate the teams failure when it came to performing on the ice during the second half of the season.
“I’m disappointed in our performance. It feels like a wasted season. I don’t know I’m still emotional about it. We didn’t get the job done. Not even close,” said Lupul.
When asked how long it would take to bring the Leafs back to a ‘state of respectability,’ Shanahan said “It takes as long as it takes.”
“The challenge here in Toronto is not to come up with the plan. The challenge in Toronto is to stick with it,” he said. “Our vision is to draft and develop our own players. There are no shortcuts. Shortcuts have gotten this organization into trouble in the past.”
Comments