Dallas Stars right wing Mikko Rantanen (96) waves to the fans after the Stars win over the Colorado Avalanche in game five of the first round of the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs at American Airlines Center. Shortly after the trade deadline, Knies acknowledged the trade rumors weighed on him during that stretch.

Now that the Leafs have been eliminated, there will be much to reevaluate. Of course, decisions on Mitch Marner and Brendan Shanahan will be front and centre, but in truth, few areas will be exempt from contemplation.

Brad Treliving remains the Toronto Maple Leafs' general manager after Brendan Shanahan’s departure as the team prepares for a key offseason.

Shanahan leaves in his wake a number of memorable moments and key decisions that still impact the team on and off the ice.

NHL analyst JD Bunkis of Sportsnet urges the Toronto Maple Leafs to trade star defenseman Morgan Rielly this offseason.

Now, the Leafs can use the $12 million to $13 million in salary cap space Marner leaves behind on other players this summer. Toronto always spends to the salary cap ceiling, and that isn’t going to change in the wake of Marner’s departure.

The Leafs' current situation was by no means inevitable. How could various checkpoints in recent team history have played out differently?