The Toronto Maple Leafs’ general manager, Brad Treliving, has expressed his full support for coach Craig Berube, despite the team’s disappointing start to the NHL season. In his usual mid-season media availability, Treliving admitted that the Leafs have “underperformed,” with a record of 8-9-2. Nevertheless, Treliving is confident that Berube is the right person to revitalize 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 positively to Berube last season, finishing at the top of the Atlantic Division with 108 points. However, Toronto is on pace to score only 78 points this year, and Treliving is still trying to figure out why the Leafs have experienced this decline in Berube’s second season. Aside from the loss of winger Mitch Marner in free agency last summer, this is essentially the same group that Berube worked with in the 2024-25 season. Nevertheless, the results have not met Treliving’s expectations, especially on the defensive side. 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, with starter Anthony Stolarz having a 6-5-1 record and a save percentage of .884, far from the outstanding performance he had last season. Treliving also observes a general lack of “enthusiasm” in the team, suggesting that something must change for Toronto to get back in the playoff race. They are currently four points out of an Eastern Conference wild-card spot, ahead of 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 modifying the staff.I have all the faith in our coach right now, so I don’t see that as the problem,” Treliving stated. “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 struggles. Toronto has several significant absences, including Auston Matthews (lower body), Stolarz (upper body), Nic Roy (upper body), Chris Tanev (upper body), Scott Laughton (upper body), and Brandon Carlo (lower body), all unavailable. This has significantly affected the Leafs’ center depth and defense, and it’s a challenge they’ll 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 in full form soon. However, Matthews only resumed training on Tuesday and will miss his second consecutive game, while Laughton could return on Thursday against Columbus. Treliving insists that, unless Toronto can play better collectively, it won’t matter who is in the lineup. I think there has been too much “vanilla” on our team,” Treliving said. “I think you can count on one hand how many complete and full games we’ve had. Put anyone in the uniform. If we play like we’re playing, we’ll probably have the same result.The reality of the business is that problems aren’t solved through trades,” Treliving said. “We’re not going to panic and start getting rid of things 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
