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 meeting with the media, Treliving admitted that the Leafs have not performed as expected, with a record of 8-9-2. However, he maintains his confidence in Berube to guide a Toronto team that he considers “disconnected”.
Berube was Treliving’s first hire as Leafs coach after firing Sheldon Keefe in May 2024. At the time, Treliving felt Toronto needed a new voice, and the Leafs responded well to Berube last season, finishing atop 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 had this decline in Berube’s second season. Aside from the loss of first-line 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 the standout he was 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 hunt. They are currently four points out of an Eastern Conference wild-card spot 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 at this moment, 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 problems. Toronto is without several key players, 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 impacted the Leafs’ center depth and defense, and that’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 back in full form soon. However, Matthews only resumed skating on Tuesday and will miss his second straight 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.The reality of the business is that you are not going to solve the problems with 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 simplicity with our team. 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.
Brad Treliving
