The Toronto Maple Leafs’ decision to part ways with general manager Brad Treliving didn’t come as a shock. After all, the team’s performance dropped significantly from last season, when Toronto came within one win of reaching the conference finals.
Nearly three years after replacing Kyle Dubas, Treliving’s tenure ultimately ended with more questions than answers.
A Three-Year Snapshot
Toronto’s results under Treliving showed flashes of promise but lacked sustained progress.
- In 2023-24, the Leafs were eliminated in seven games by the Boston Bruins in the first round, a loss that eventually led to the departure of head coach Sheldon Keefe.
- The following season brought change behind the bench, with Craig Berube hired as head coach. The Leafs defeated the Ottawa Senators in the first round before falling in seven games to the Florida Panthers in the second round.
- This season, however, marked a steep decline. The Maple Leafs sit near the bottom of the Atlantic Division and remain well outside the playoff race. Even with games remaining, the odds of qualifying are slim, leaving the organization on the verge of its first postseason absence in years.
Best Moves of the Treliving-Leafs Era
One of Treliving’s most notable decisions came in June 2025, when he convinced captain John Tavares to stay on a four-year extension at a very team-friendly $4.39 million AAV, essentially a “home team” discount that helped maintain leadership while preserving cap flexibility.
The signing of Anthony Stolarz also turned into a classic “buy low, win big” move. Stolarz was brought in during July 2024 free agency to share the crease with Joseph Woll. He performed so well that Treliving rewarded him with a four-year, $15 million extension in September 2025.
Treliving also secured long-term extensions for franchise cornerstones Auston Matthews and William Nylander, stabilizing the core amid uncertainty. In addition, the signing of veteran defenseman Chris Tanev strengthened the blue line by adding leadership and defensive reliability.
Moves That Backfired
Several of Treliving’s roster decisions drew heavy criticism. At the March 2026 trade deadline, he dealt fan favorite Bobby McMann to the Seattle Kraken for a 2026 fourth-round pick and a conditional 2027 second-round pick. McMann went on to find success in Seattle, while Toronto’s depth scoring noticeably declined.
Another controversial move came during the 2024-25 season, when top prospect Fraser Minten, a conditional 2026 first-round pick, and a 2025 fourth-round pick were sent to the Boston Bruins for defenseman Brandon Carlo. Minten developed into a top-six option in Boston, whereas Carlo struggled to make a consistent impact in Toronto.
Perhaps the most controversial decision came on July 1, 2025, when Treliving traded star winger Mitch Marner to the Vegas Golden Knights. Toronto received Nicolas Roy in a straight swap, a return many believed didn’t come close to matching Marner’s value.
The Bigger Picture
It all started with Mitch Marner; the downward trajectory began the moment he was traded, as the front office failed to bring in anyone of Marner’s caliber to replace his elite production.
Despite the pressure, Treliving did not make any blockbuster trades or effectively address defensive needs, opting instead for grit over skill. Furthermore, he did not fire head coach Craig Berube when the season stalled. This proved costly, as players like Bobby McMann and Nic Roy flourished immediately after being traded, suggesting the system was the primary problem.
“He gave me a chance here, I feel I let him down. We wanted to build something here. This year we dropped off. We put ourselves in a good spot at the Olympic break, didn’t do enough to put ourselves in a better position,” head coach Craig Berube said.
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Ultimately, Toronto surrendered its identity as an offensive powerhouse without building a viable defensive alternative, leading to its first missed postseason in a decade.
Treliving’s three-year run with the Maple Leafs will likely be remembered as a mixed tenure, one that included smart contract work and solid depth additions, but also high-profile trades that didn’t deliver the intended results.
