Toronto Maple Leafs general manager Brad Treliving has taken full responsibility for the team’s recent woes. During an unexpected press conference on November 18, the exec fielded questions regarding Toronto’s slow start to the season. The Maple Leafs entered the day sitting seventh out of the eight-team Atlantic Division.
“Obviously, as we sit here today, we’re not where we want to be or where we envision to be,” Treliving told media members. “We’ve underperformed to this point. And I take full responsibility. I’m in charge of the hockey department. I’ve put the people in place on the ice, off the ice. So the responsibility lies with myself. And we start today and every day trying to get ourselves back up and going and improve where we are.”
Outside of attempting to take heat off of head coach Craig Berube, Treliving also sent some mixed signals on how he can fix the roster. The GM openly admitted that he is always looking to improve the team via trade. However, he then also claimed that Toronto cannot just trade its way out of its problems.
The Leafs have been rumored to be willing to listen to trade offers for everyone on the roster outside of Auston Matthews, William Nylander, John Tavares, and Matthew Knies. Despite this, other players currently on the roster do not have much trade value at the moment.
Maple Leafs GM Backs Craig Berube Despite Hinting at Potential Problems
GettyCraig Berube has received backing from his GM amid tumultuous times for the Maple Leafs.
Along with seemingly pouring cold water on making a big trade, Treliving also claimed that the Leafs have a bigger issue than just the players. “We’re not going to panic & start throwing things overboard… It’s not so much an individual thing as much as a team thing… Put anybody in the uniform & play the way we’re playing, we’re probably going to have the same result,” continued the exec.
The comment appears to indicate a potential coaching issue. Treliving, however, countered this sentiment by backing Berube. “Craig didn’t become a bad coach overnight. When you go through difficult times, the easy thing is to pick off the coach…the important thing is to not point fingers and dig in together…I have all the faith in the world in him,” proclaimed Treliving.
Berube was seen, via video, reprimanding his players during a practice on November 17, as captured by Sportsnet’s Anna Dua. During the snippet, the coach criticized the team’s energy and intensity in recent games.
Treliving Also Provides Update on Injured Superstar
Part of the blame for Toronto’s slow start to the season can be attributed to injuries. Matthews, Anthony Stolarz, Chris Tanev, Brandon Carlo, Scott Laughton, and Nicolas Roy are all currently sidelined with various issues. With several key players unavailable, the Leafs have dropped five consecutive games.
Treliving would not commit to providing a timeline for Tanev’s return to the ice. He did, however, give an update on Matthews. The star has been out of action since November 11th and was previously expected to return to the lineup after one week.
Nevertheless, Treliving admitted that Matthews will not play for Toronto against the St. Louis Blues on November 18 or the Columbus Blue Jackets two days later. Instead, the star is in contention to face the Montreal Canadiens on November 22.
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