The Toronto Maple Leafs’ general manager, Brad Treliving, has expressed his full support for coach Craig Berube, as the team faces a disappointing start to the NHL season. In his usual mid-season meeting with the media, Treliving was frank about the underperforming expectations of the Leafs, with a record of 8-9-2. Despite this, Treliving maintains his confidence in Berube to guide a Toronto team that he considers “disconnected”.
Berube was Treliving’s first hire as coach of the Leafs, after firing Sheldon Keefe in May 2024. At that time, Treliving felt that Toronto needed a new voice, and the Leafs responded well to Berube last season, finishing at the top of the Atlantic Division with 108 points. However, Toronto is projected to get only 78 points this year, and Treliving is still trying to figure out why the Leafs have had a decline in Berube’s second season. Aside from the loss of top winger Mitch Marner in free agency last summer, this is essentially the same group that Berube worked with in 2024-25. The results, however, have not met Treliving’s standards, especially on defense. The Leafs are conceding the second-most goals in the league (3.79 per game) and the fifth-most shots against (31.2). Their goalies have performed averagely, and starter Anthony Stolarz has a 6-5-1 record with a .884 save percentage, far from last season’s outstanding performance. Treliving also observes a general lack of “enthusiasm” in the team, suggesting that something must change for Toronto to contend for the playoffs again. They are currently four points away from a wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference, before Tuesday’s game against St. Louis, Berube’s former team. Treliving emphasized that it’s up to the Leafs players to solve their problems, rather than management seeking new additions or renewing staff.I have full faith in our coach right now, so I don’t see that as the problem. I believe in Craig and his message. Craig didn’t become a bad coach overnight.
Brad Treliving
Treliving also declined to blame the Leafs’ injuries for their difficulties. Toronto is without several key players, including Auston Matthews, Stolarz, Nic Roy, Chris Tanev, Scott Laughton and Brandon Carlo, all unavailable. This has significantly impacted the center depth and defense of the Leafs, and that is a challenge they will have to overcome in the short term. Toronto claimed defenseman Troy Stetcher off waivers from Edmonton this week as a temporary measure, and goaltender Joseph Woll, who played his first game of the season on Saturday after a month-long absence for personal reasons, should be back in form soon. Matthews, however, only resumed skating on Tuesday and will miss his second consecutive game, while Laughton could return on Thursday against Columbus. Treliving insists that, unless Toronto plays better collectively, it won’t matter who is in the lineup.The reality of the business is that you are not going to get out of trouble through transfers. We are not going to panic and start throwing things overboard just to do something. My job right now is to support our coach, support his message and support our group, and push the group.
Brad Treliving
I think there’s been too much uniformity with our team. I think you can count on one hand the number of complete games we’ve had. Put anyone in the uniform. If we play like we’re playing, we’ll probably have the same result.
Brad Treliving
