For those familiar with Shanahan as a dynamic and ornery winger, a leader who could will things to happen in a game, fearless, it’s been somewhat disconcerting how cautiously — to an outsider — he’s proceeded, even how guarded he’s been in his comments to the media. This from someone who could so effortlessly fill a reporter’s notebook at his locker.
Where did that guy go?
“I’m the same person,” Shanahan insists. “Sometimes in my last job I used to say to people, don’t be fooled by the suit. I don’t have to bang a loud drum. I don’t feel I need to make headlines. When I take something on, I can’t turn it off. That hasn’t changed. The seriousness I have is the responsibility that I feel comes with this job. You’ll have to forgive me if I don’t make big statements and wave my arms around.
“You learn how to become an executive. But the player is still under the suit.”
Alas, Shanahan can’t remove that suit and dress as a Leaf or their problems would be halfway towards solved.
But rest assured that he does have a plan, that he’s deep into the process of moving it along, incrementally, and that he understands your pain, Toronto. Because he’s always had a fierce attachment to the Leafs, despite a playing career that never brought him home.
“I feel incredibly lucky. I mean, this when I say that I couldn’t be more excited to have this opportunity and privilege. I don’t ever want to play up the fact that I’m from here but I grew up a fan. In my 21-year career I had one eye on the Leafs, always had an interest in them, even when my interest was in beating them.
“This would mean so much to me, if we can put this together. It would certainly be something that I was most proud of."
