TRELIVING / SHANAHAN PRESSER:
*Shanahan starts with his admiration for Treliving. Highlights knowing him well without working directly with him. Many colleagues speak highly of Brad. Excited for him to come to Toronto. Mentions experience in Canadian market is a bonus.
*Brad thanks Brendan & ownership for the opportunity. Opens by praising the city and fans of Calgary. Says its a special place with special people, and will have warm place in his / his family's heart. Praises Calgary ownership, says team is in great hands under Conroy. Wishes them all good luck.
*On Toronto - says until you are here, hard to understand the magnitude of how special it is to be apart of the Leafs. Says he's excited, humbled, but also knows there's a great responsibility in this role. Says he has responsibility to players and fans.
*Says the real draw to taking a special job, is the team. Calls them a great team, with high end talent. Knows there's been heartache and frustration in a hard league, but wants to keep putting team in position to keep knocking on the door until we break through.
*On Matthews negotiation - has communicated with a few players, including Matthews via text. Says he has good relationship with Matthew's agent. Says he doesn't get into public discourse with negotiations, but calls Matthews a world class player who is a priority. Says he wants to meet Auston, but also wants Auston to meet and get to know him as well. Says he's excited to meet and work with him.
*On Keefe - has spoken to Sheldon. Doesn't have a relationship with Sheldon, but told him it's a unique situation. Says his outside lens of Sheldon is this team has been 100+ point team behind a really good coach.
*On core 4 & changing the culture - says we have really good players. Having them excites him. Says they will review everything, but he's not about coming in and making a statement move. Being different doesn't necessarily make you better. Says his job is to protect them - says its not about just the core 4, but the entire team. It's about the Leafs, and their success. Says he's lucky to have them.
*Shanahan, on how much responsibility he bears - says he's felt pressure from day 1 until today. Sometimes along the way, need to make changes. Says he always feels the pressure, which was one of the reasons he took on Leafs job. Always asks what they can do to be better.
*Treliving, on draft restrictions - Shanahan points out that the Flames have placed restrictions on what Brad can and cannot do at the draft, but won't go into details.
*On the Tkachuk trade - calls situation unique & circumstances. Says Matthew came to them & informed them that he wanted to move, which pushed them into the market. Says they worked hard to make an organizational decision that fit Calgary's competitive window. Says he didn't want to move him, but circumstances arise and you have to deal with them as best you can. Says time will dictate how all things play out.
*Shanahan, on GM autonomy - believes in process, but ultimately decision lies with GM. Says Brad is looking forward to meeting staff within organization, and says relationship he and Brad will have as good relationship as he and Kyle.
*Treliving, on adding staff / AGM - one of the draws to Toronto was all the quality staff off the ice. Praises Brendhan Pridham, calls him the best at what he does in the league. Says Pridham helped extensively as a league employee while Treliving was in Arizona. Also Praises Dubas, and calls him a close friend. Says Dubas has left him quality pieces both on and off the ice. Says people before him, including Dubas, Lou, Nonis, and Burke, all have their fingerprints and have contributed to high talent.
*On his biggest priorities - hard to say. Lots of priorities. Says contractual issues will be dealt with. Says Sheldon situation is a priority too. Mentions draft coming up. Says he has to speak to manager's community too - mentions he's a bit behind since leaving Calgary. Says #1 priority is to get out and meet Auston. Says there's a lot to do.
*On relationship with Gio & Brodie - says its good to see Gio still playing at 75 (LOL). Says they are all good people & with good families. Says he also knows Luke Schenn. Says you can't manage from the office anymore, but next to the people.
*On why it hasn't worked so far - Says its hard to see externally. Don't get to know until you get behind the curtain. Says it's very hard to win in this league. Says talent & skill needs to work at both ends of the ice. Have to check hard in order to win.
*Shanahan, on Dubas timing - says he doesn't think it was iintentional. Says this is how these things play out. Says Pittsburgh/Fenway have been in contact, and he's endorsed Kyle. Says he's very happy for Dubas.
