Toronto Maple Leafs may have to go back on promise not to move a member of the core 4

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Sam Hutch
May 28, 2023 (7:19 PM)

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After the Toronto Maple Leafs let Kyle Dubas go, President Brendan Shanahan promised the Core 4 players (Matthews, Tavares, Marner & Nylander) that the Leafs would not move any of them - no matter the general manager, they would all be safe.

According to Luke Fox of Sportsnet, Shanahan may very well not actually be able to make such a promise when a new general manager is named - here's why:

Imagine the president interviewing experienced candidates, preferably ones with the clout and conviction to make bold decisions, and then telling the new GM: 'By the way, I already promised all our core players that they're staying put. Otherwise, go wild with the fringes of the roster!'

Seems a little backward, no?" - Leafs reporter Luke Fox on Shanahan making promises to the Core 4

Fox is right; Shanahan publicly making promises before naming a new general manager is not proper etiquette. It may actually make the new general mangers job very, very hard. In fact, it may drive some candidates away.

A new general manger needs to be able to make their own mark on the roster, if they have players they need to keep, it doesn't set the right tone.

Do you think Luke Fox is correct? Shanahan might not be able to make that assurance with a new general manager. You need to allow whoever you hire to make their own mark on the roster.