Shanahan Presser -
* Thanks Kyle for the 9 years involved with the franchise. Fantastic employee and person.
* Approached Kyle last year, and explained that he would not be receiving a contract offer for his final year. Reassured him that it wasn't a reflection of his situation with the club, and that they'd consider extending him later in the year.
* Was pleased with Kyle's off-season. Did an excellent job with letting players go and making signings. Calls team's regular season excellent. Says team was also managed well throughout the season.
* Thought Kyle made some very good moves at the deadline, and prepared the team to the best of his availability for the playoffs. After deadline moves, Shanahan told Kyle that he'd seen enough work to know he wanted Kyle back with an extension. A week later, Kyle confirmed that he was interested in an extension but didn't want it to be a distraction.
* Had many good conversations with Kyle's agent throughout the rest of the season and playoffs. Felt those conversations were productive. Says they were close to a finished deal. When the season ended, told Kyle on the night of game 5 loss to Florida that they wanted to move forward quickly with an extension. On Saturday after loss, Kyle was presented with an offer.
* Told Kyle he didn't want to meet with media until clarity was gained on Kyle's situation. Told Kyle he thought he souldn't meet media either, but Kyle was adament he wanted to speak. Felt it was important.
* Kyle expressed in earlier meeting that this process was very hard on Kyle's family.
* When watching Kyle's press, there was a dramatic shift in thinking - as Kyle expressed, he might not want to be the team's GM anymore. Came to the realization that he needed to potentially start looking at new GM.
* Over next few weeks after Monday's locker clear out, gained no clarity on Kyle's situation. Did not receive clarity, which suggested to him that Kyle didn't want to be GM.
* On Thursday, Kyle informed Shanahan that his agent would reach out - agent presented a new financial package to the team, and before dinner, got an email from Kyle saying he wanted to continue being GM of the Maple Leafs. Admits though, that by then, he had already been thinking about the future of the Maple Leafs with a different GM.
* Woke up this morning, drove to Kyle's office, and told him that his contract would not be renewed.
* Does not think negotiations broke down over money. Always believed that something would get done between the 2, until the Monday presser, which planted doubt that it woudn't be Kyle coming back.
* On what the next GM looks like - going to be open minded to all candidates, but having an experienced GM would be a very attractive quality.
* On regrets that he didn't extend Kyle last summer - says it's more common than people realize. Says players, coaches, and management go through it. Says it's not ideal, but wanted to be open and supportive with Kyle all throughout the year. Wanted to go to him as early as possible, after deadline, to indicate they wanted him back. Didn't want to wait on results.
* On Kyle's Monday presser - was aware that this season had taken a toll on his family, but was not expecting that to be made public. Presented a lot of questions. Appreciates Kyle's honesty and emotions. Says it's a massive privilege's to play and work in the NHL, but says it's very difficult for all athlethes, coaches, and managements, in all cities.
* On any other changes - have spoken to most staff & players, and thinks any further decisions need to belong to a new GM. Will work closely with Pridham over the next few weeks to ensure things continue operating.
* Says decisions like this are part of the job. Says Kyle was instrumental to get organization where they are today. From 2014, when Kyle was hired, to now, it's been a journey. Says if they want to get to where they want to get to, everyone, including Kyle, will have their fingerprints on it.
* Reiterates what Kyle said on Monday - everything is on the table, and that everything will get evaluated, and decisions will be made to improve. Says just being different, isn't the solution. It's finding something that is a better fit than what we have now.
* On whether Pridham is a candidate - he's not ruling anyone out. Has told him what factors are attractive to him (experience), but isn't ruling out any possibilities. Says they have to get to work, and points out that Pridham has excellent relationship with players and their agents and can help with contractual discussions.
