Former Leafs defenseman explains how Brendan Shanahan failed the team

The Toronto Maple Leafs have had pretty mixed results since Hockey Hall of Famer Brendan Shanahan took over as team President a decade ago.

It's hard to believe that Shanahan has been on the job in Toronto for nearly 10 years now, especially given the up and down nature of the team. There's no denying the fact that the Leafs have transformed into a perennial playoff team under Shanahan's leadership, but they have stagnated in recent seasons and appear unable to take the new step. So... what's been holding this team back?

Former Leafs defenseman Carlo Colaiacovo was on his TSN 'First Up' podcast this past week when he slammed Shanahan and his inability to transform the team's defensive corps.

Check it out:

I've got to agree with Colaiacovo, but this isn't exactly a new development. The Leafs' defensive corps has been a work in progress for like eight seasons now. It's been a glaring deficiency for years now, so Colaiacovo isn't exactly breaking any news here. Still, his point that the team's focus on the 'core four' of John Tavares, Auston Matthews, Mitch Marner and William Nylander to the detriment of their defensive game is well made.

Thoughts, Leafs fans?