Brad Treliving is already rebuilding the Maple Leafs whether he admits it or not
Photo credit: Dan Hamilton-Imagn Images
Toronto has been spinning its wheels for a decade. The blueprint exists - the question is whether Brad Treliving has the know-how (or the nerve) to follow it. Especially if he's headed out the door.
Treliving has garnered a lot of flak recently from the media and fans due to not only his underwhelming trade deadline, but seemingly invisible game plan that's known to him and him alone.
We've seen inklings of that over the past few weeks, and it seems like at least he is actively trying to find new and creative ways to help the team even if he knows his days are numbered.
Borgesi, Akhtyamov and the Nicolas Roy pick show Brad Treliving is trying but he needs to start doing more
Give credit where credit is due but Treliving swooping in and stealing Vincent Borgesi is nothing short of impressive. This is a guy who was a Hobey Baker finalist, and a right-handed offensive defenceman ready to slot into the lineup next year.
He also added Brandon Buhr from Union College, and he's someone who projects to be a heavy hitting scorer akin to a Bobby McMann but only 23.
Plus, he did what he could at the deadline even if he should have done better. He still managed a first out of Colorado for Nic Roy, and while he did get rid of Scott Laughton and Bobby McMann (perhaps prematurely) - he did restock the cupboard a bit.
An underrated deal Treliving made recently was extending Artur Akhtyamov to three-year contract. He's looking like a star of the future alongside Dennis Hildeby, and the strong goaltending pipeline allows the Maple Leafs to make moves in the summer and perhaps use one of their now-expendable starters.
One issue though. Beyond Borgesi, there hasn't been a ton of extra signings and while there's still time, it would behoove Treliving to become a bit more proactive when it comes to making those big prospect signings.
One name we've touched on is Vitali Pinchuk - the consensus #1 European free agent. If Toronto and Treliving truly cared about the future, they would throw the blank chequebook at him and lure him to North America.
If he can do that, then even if he's out the door at season's end then at least he is doing what he can. The team can't afford to miss out on someone like him, nor can they sit idly by and watch other prospects sign. You found McMann as a diamond in the rough; why not take a chance on someone else?
Though even if he's labeled a lame-duck GM, he's not showing it at least right now.
Toronto should learn a thing or two about a rebuild from an unlikely sage: Montreal
Look, call me crazy (as is your right) but Montreal set a blueprint, stuck to it, and are thriving now with a seriously bright future.
They earned the first pick in 2022 after a dismal 2021-22 season and selected Juraj Slafkovsky. While controversial at the time, he's grown into a superstar and is already heralded as an Olympic legend in Slovakia.
Then next season they weren't so lucky but did select fifth overall and brought in defensive prospect David Reinbacher. Though he's dealt with injuries thus far, he's got a ton of potential.
Oh cut to 2024 and who did Montreal get? None other than Ivan Demidov. This was a team who brought in a slew of picks, suffered and now have a wealth of riches any team is envious of.
Even going back: Logan Mailloux turned into Zac Bolduc; a huge addition to the team this year. Then they also drafted Kaiden Guhle, and Cole Caufield too and you see where those guys are in the league.
Their one blip is Jesperi Kotkaniemi, but no draft record is perfect. But look at the surplus Montreal had in the first round...it's actually a remarkable turnaround.
Toronto needs to learn and cut ties with guys who are dragging them down, or even some stars to bring in new faces.
Max Pacioretty was sent out for Nick Suzuki, Max Domi was traded for Josh Anderson, dumped Shea Weber's albatross of a deal, and brought in Mike Matheson for Jeff Petry.
You can start to see the parallels. Toronto could stand to trade Domi again, meanwhile Rielly is in Weber's shoes albeit not hurt just not producing.
It's turning older, expensive pieces into players who fit the coaching system and play with and for each other; not just for their own personal accolades.
Montreal suffered for years and were the laughing stock of the Maple Leafs fanbase.
But they're the ones having the last laugh and it's up to Toronto to turn themselves from clowns into contenders.
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