The Toronto Maple Leafs made a major move by firing general manager Brad Treliving, following a disappointing season that has them on track to miss the playoffs for the first time in nearly a decade. The decision immediately drew reactions from players, including captain John Tavares, who spoke candidly about the team’s feelings.
“It’s a real tough one… Brad brought us all in here and had tremendous belief in us, and we just didn’t deliver,” Tavares said, according to TSN’s Mark Masters after a 5-4 overtime win against the Anaheim Ducks, taking responsibility on behalf of the players, “We’re extremely disappointed as a team.”
The Maple Leafs currently sit near the bottom of the Atlantic Division with a 32‑30‑13 record, leaving them well outside the wild‑card race with only seven games remaining. Even with Auston Matthews at the center of trade buzz, the organization opted to make a leadership change to reset the team’s direction as playoff hopes fade
Mixed legacy for Treliving in Toronto
Treliving joined the Leafs in May 2023, leading the team to the playoffs in his first two seasons but failing to make a deep run, including a second-round exit against the Florida Panthers last year.
Brad Treliving of the Maple Leafs attends the 2023 NHL Draft. Bruce Bennett/Getty Images
While some of his moves, like trading Mitch Marner to the Vegas Golden Knights for Nicolas Roy, faced criticism, he also secured long-term deals for cornerstones Auston Matthews and William Nylander, stabilizing the team’s core.
Coaching staff’s reaction
Head coach Craig Berube echoed the sentiment, “He gave me a chance here, I feel I let him down. We put ourselves in a good spot at the Olympic break, didn’t do enough to put ourselves in a better position.”
SurveyHow should the Maple Leafs rebuild after Brad Treliving’s firing?
How should the Maple Leafs rebuild after Brad Treliving’s firing?
ALREADY VOTED 0 PEOPLE
With the season winding down, the Maple Leafs aim to finish strong, starting with their matchup against the San Jose Sharks on Thursday, as the organization begins its search for a new general manager.
