from Jonas Siegel of TSN,

The organization is also going about its search in an unconventional manner at the urging of Shanahan, content to hire coach before general manager if need be. There’s also the prospect of the front office (save the general manager) already in place and the looming voice of Shanahan above whatever power said general manager will hold.

These are huge hires that need to align with Shanahan, his unconventional methods and philosophy and the patient build he intends for the club moving forward.

Such a future may or may not include the team’s current captain, long-time leading scorer and a flawed and financially-inflated core that flamed out once again in 2014-15. What will the Leafs opt to do with Dion Phaneuf and Phil Kessel, both of whom have pricey long-term contracts extending beyond 2020? And maybe more curiously, what can the club reap in potential trades involving the pair, not to mention other core assets like Tyler Bozak and Joffrey Lupul?

Beyond the current roster lie future pieces. The Leafs have two first round selections – including the fourth overall pick – at the second draft of the Shanahan era next month. Last year the team selected promising Swedish talent William Nylander with the eighth overall pick. These two days in June are critical to an organization seeking to rebuild internally.

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