Brad Treliving Called Out for Failing to Offer Contract to His Former Player

Though the Maple Leafs were active in trying to land several free agents, it seems that they may have been doing so without a true game plan in mind.

Andrew Mangiapane, who signed with the Edmonton Oilers on a two-year at $3.6M annually, revealed that the Toronto Maple Leafs did not make a concrete offer for the 29-year-old forward.

According to Mangiapane, who is an Ontario native, Toronto was never in serious discussions with him on a deal, despite needing help on offense with the loss of Mitch Marner.

Elliotte Friedman recently reported that the Leafs would have to move players out to make room for Mangiapane, something he wasn't going to wait on.

The move is even more of a surprise given that Mangiapane has experience with Brad Treliving having played for him when Treliving was GM of the Calgary Flames, Mangiapane having been drafted while Treliving was in charge of the team and played his first six seasons under him.

The seemingly uninterested view towards showing even a potential contract with Andrew Mangiapane, regardless of them either signing him or being competitive, has been met with some upset from Leafs fans who have concerns about a lack of competitiveness in free agency.

With many of the top players gone in Day 1 of free agency, GM Brad Treliving said that adding a top-six forward was still a goal for the team, although a trade may become the likelier option.

Mangiapane would be a cost effective option for Toronto, but would take them out of contention for finding a top-six forward in a trade instead, and a potentially less impactful one.

Still available to be signed is Jack Roslovic, who is being linked to Toronto and his signature could come just under $3M, potentially with the Leafs.

The Toronto Maple Leafs cannot afford to stand pat, they are being conservative in their approach and not signing Andrew Mangiapane just because he's willing to sign is Brad Treliving showing he's not just going to sign anyone.

He's waiting for the right player to come along, although to fans the worry will become if they stay waiting it will be too late.