Shanahan ‘realistic’ about how difficult it is to make changes to Leafs

Brendan Shanahan knows changes must come to the Toronto Maple Leafs. But don’t expect all of them right away.

Shanahan says there’s no way to know yet how much needs to change to get the Leafs where he wants them to be.

One month into his job as team president, he cautions that he’s “realistic that you can’t do everything overnight,” knowing that 29 other teams aren’t going to lie down and give up assets for Toronto’s benefit.

Shanahan will have the ability to make moves to shape the Leafs, though he says he agrees with general manager Dave Nonis’s theory that there’s roster flexibility because players don’t have full no-trade clauses.

That could mean the 45-year-old has big plans, or that he’s simply just open to listening to potential trade offers.

Shanahan hinted during a phone interview Wednesday that changes could continue into the season after he has had some time to see them play.