The Toronto Maple Leafs summer shake up and rebuild has started less than 24 hours after their season finale. Five members of the management staff have been fired, most notably general manager Dave Nonis and interim head coach Peter Horachek.
President and Alternate Governor of the Leafs Brendan Shanahan announced the moves Sunday morning.
The Leafs have also let go of assistant coaches Steve Spott, Chris Dennis, and goaltending coach Rick St. Croix.
Assistant general manager Kyle Dubas and Director of Player Personnel Mark Hunter will serve as interim co-managers on an interim basis as the club seeks a new manager, a statement on the team’s official website read.
Nonis has been at the club since 2008, but was appointed manager in 2013. Since his appointment, the Leafs have a record of 94-97-21.
Intionally hired as an assistant coach in the summer of 2014, Horachek took over as interim head coach after Randy Caryle was fired in January. Since then, the Leafs have gone just 9-28-5 in 42 games.
The management shake up comes after another disappointing season for a franchise that has seen playoff hockey just once from the past ten years.
Player moves are expected to follow as it was speculated Saturday - before their final game of the season - that the club has said expect changes ‘swiftly’ and they have already started.
Having finished fourth last in the final NHL standings, the Leafs have a 9.5% chance of winning the Draft Lottery at a chance to draft projected No.1 overall pick Connor McDavid.
