The Toronto Maple Leafs have fired general manager Brad Treliving, per Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet.
“Toronto is making a change at the GM position,” Friedman reported on social media. “Let go of Brad Treliving tonight.”
Treliving spent the last three seasons as the general manager of the Maple Leafs. Over the last two seasons, he’s focused on building a gritty, physical team. Additionally, he’s seen several names join and leave the organization, including superstar Mitch Marner, who joined the Vegas Golden Knights this last offseason.
The Maple Leafs held a 129-82-27 record since hiring Treliving in 2023.
Brad Treliving Move Speculated Beforehand
Nick Kypreos on Real Kyper and Bourne predicted this move during the “here is a bit of a sense here that the Leafs may not even wait until the end of the season to decide Brad Trelivingâs fate,” Kypreos said this morning. “Thereâs some that thought it could have happened as early as today, but itâs a game day.”
It seems that the Maple Leafs didn’t wait for game day after all. Toronto has just eight games left on the season. This year has been the most frustrating for the Leafs to date. The offseason seemed optimistic for the Maple Leafs. Instead, injuries, inconsistencies and one piece of bad luck after the next caused a disaster ending to an otherwise optimistic season.
Future Uncertain for Rest of Front Office
It remains to be seen what will happen with the rest of the front office. Rumors have circled about with head coach Craig Berube for weeks now. The multitude of assistant general managers in Toronto will likely seek to take up Treliving’s mantle. Whether the organization decides to cut ties with the whole group remains to be seen. Having said that, it’s entirely possible that a fresh start could benefit all parties.
Adam Proteau of The Hockey News believes that the best option for the Maple Leafs, should they move on from Berube, is Bruce Cassidy.
“Part of Treliving’s mission with the Leafs was to change the DNA and add some snot,” Proteau writes. “But Toronto has some high-level stars, such as Auston Matthews and William Nylander, along with John Tavares and Matthew Knies as part of its forward core. Cassidy has largely dealt with that roster blend in Boston and Vegas.
“Cassidy has done it all, and hiring him right away removes the possibility a rival team hires him sooner than later. So bringing Cassidy aboard immediately is a must for Leafs GM Brad Treliving.”
The Maple Leafs face off tonight against the Anahiem Ducks. When last they met, Radko Gudas took out Auston Matthews’ knee, ruling him out for the remainder of the season. Perhaps tonight’s game will show future general manager candidates what they have when it comes to Toronto.
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