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Toronto Maple Leafs Dismiss General Manager Brad Treliving

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Brad Treliving Dismissed as Maple Leafs General Manager

Brad Treliving was dismissed as General Manager of the Toronto Maple Leafs on February 24, having served in the role for less than three seasons. The decision, announced approximately 83 minutes before a scheduled game against the Anaheim Ducks, followed a season in which the team was projected to miss the playoffs. This would mark the first such instance in ten years and would end their longest playoff streak since 2016.

Dismissal Details

Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment president Keith Pelley stated that the decision was made after an analysis of the organization's current state and future direction, affirming a requirement for new leadership.

Pelley acknowledged respect for Treliving as an executive and person. Treliving's daily presence with the team had reportedly diminished throughout March, with absences noted at practices and on road trips. The change was implemented before the end of the current season.

Tenure and Performance

Treliving was appointed GM in the spring of 2023. During his tenure, the team's composition evolved to include older players. Under his leadership, the Maple Leafs won one Atlantic Division title and advanced to the second round of the playoffs, where they were eliminated by the Florida Panthers. In his first season, the team was eliminated in the first round, and in his second, they were eliminated in the second round.

Key Decisions and Roster Moves

During his time as General Manager, Treliving made several roster and coaching decisions:

Trades

  • Treliving's trade decisions included the acquisition of Brandon Carlo and Scott Laughton at a trade deadline. This involved sending a 2026 draft pick with top-five protection and player Fraser Minten to the Boston Bruins. Depending on the 2026 pick's outcome, Toronto could transfer 2027 and 2028 first-round picks to the Bruins and Philadelphia Flyers.
  • The 2025 offseason included the sign-and-trade of Mitch Marner and the acquisition of Matias Maccelli, Dakota Joshua (for a fourth-round pick), and Nicolas Roy. Roy was later traded to the Colorado Avalanche.
  • In the season leading up to his dismissal, no significant trades were made to acquire talent.

Free Agent Signings

  • Free agent signings included Chris Tanev (a six-year deal) and Oliver Ekman-Larsson in the summer of 2024. Jake McCabe signed a five-year contract extension in the fall of 2024.
  • During his initial offseason, Treliving signed Ryan Reaves (a three-year deal) and John Klingberg (for $4.15 million in cap space). He also issued four-year contracts to David Kämpf and Max Domi, and a four-year extension to Anthony Stolarz, following a previous two-year contract in 2024.

Player Contracts Secured

  • Treliving secured contracts for Auston Matthews, William Nylander, Matthew Knies, and John Tavares.

Forwards Acquired

  • Forwards acquired during his tenure included Ryan Reaves, Tyler Bertuzzi, Max Domi, Noah Gregor, Connor Dewar, Steven Lorentz, Scott Laughton, Dakota Joshua, Matias Maccelli, Sammy Blais, and Nicolas Roy.

Coaching and Staff

  • Treliving retained Craig Berube as head coach.
  • Assistant coach Marc Savard was dismissed in late December due to power-play performance issues.

Waiver Claims

  • The team claimed Troy Stecher, Cayden Primeau, and Sammy Blais off waivers.

Identified Needs and Inaction

Specific needs, such as improved puck-moving defense and a top-six winger, were identified after a previous season, but no acquisitions were made to address these areas. When the team's performance declined in the current season, no trades were executed to strengthen the defense, nor was a coaching change implemented.