Darren Dreger: Brad Treliving isn't 'walking on broken ice' despite the Maple Leafs' slide to 25th
Photo credit: Dan Hamilton-Imagn Images
Brad Treliving signed three players in one week including extending Artur Akhtyamov. TSN's Darren Dreger says that's not the behaviour of a GM on the outs but whether MLSE agrees is another question all on its own.
Dreger spoke on Brad Treliving's future, including his recent signings made, viewing his deals as being those of a GM not looking to be 'on broken ice':
He's signing college kids, he's doing what General Managers do every single day, that doesn't seem to me like a man who's walking on broken ice; now, there has to be an end of season review. - Dreger (03.20.26)
The Toronto Maple Leafs recently signed college free agents Vincent Borgesi, Brandon Buhr, and extended goaltender Artur Akhtyamov, all made in the span of this past week.
Buhr, the Leafs latest signing, spoke on signing in Toronto as one influenced by the city's hockey culture. Buhr's praise of the Leafs organization as a reason for his signing could be one of the things saving Brad Treliving's job.
The college 'pivot' as a survival tactic for the May review
The Leafs culture is influencing college free agents to sign, showing Toronto is still an attractive destination for players.
If there's one thing the Leafs under Brad Treliving can be praised for, it's giving opportunities to collegiate players and giving them NHL shots.
Bobby McMann, who was signed under the Dubas regime, continued to earn trust under Treliving, his trade being a deeply difficult one that wouldn't have happened if Toronto was in a playoff spot.
Jacob Quillan is looking to have made the jump to the NHL for the rest of this season, and should be able to compete to keep his spot in next year's lineup.
Luke Haymes is looking like he could be in the lineup in a year or two, having been a consistent energy forward all season in the AHL. His debut could come as soon as next season.
Despite the seeming confidence from Brad Treliving with his new signings, he may not remain long enough to bear the fruit of his rewards.
It's not just taking a chance on late bloomers, Brad Treliving has a clear strategy to add win-now prospects rather than wait long-term. With a lack of a draft cabinet, Treliving has focused the Leafs prospect pool on being able to potentially contribute right away.
Why the 'busy March' is actually a strategic anchor for the next regime
Beyond the speculation, no one seems to know if Brad Treliving's future extends past this season, and either MLSE is keeping tight lipped, or they haven't made their decision either.
Treliving has one year remaining on his contract. Toronto may want to let that deal run out before deciding anything on Treliving until then.
The Leafs have the option to decide they won't be renewing Treliving's contract, as they did with now former team President Brendan Shanahan, but it wasn't decided upon until the end of last season, meaning if Toronto wants to let Treliving's deal run out, they may wait until the end of next season to do so.
Does that make Craig Berube the scapegoat for this season? That hasn't been founded either, but after a failed re-energizing this season, it's hard to imagine someone not being dealt the blame.
Assistant GM Brandon Pridham has been in the wait for years now. Former Hockey Canada GM Doug Armstrong is a popular emerging name, but is only just a rumored target.
In the meantime, it's largely business as usual for Brad Treliving, who isn't showing signs that he won't be the Toronto Maple Leafs General Manager next season.
Also read on Hockey Patrol :
Maple Leafs fans get the last laugh as Senators' mocking Mitch Marner chants are met with a harsh reality
Maple Leafs fans get the last laugh as Senators' mocking Mitch Marner chants are met with a harsh reality
Previously on Hockey Patrol
| POLL | ||
MARS 23|1044 ANSWERS Darren Dreger: Brad Treliving isn't 'walking on broken ice' despite the Maple Leafs' slide to 25th Should the Leafs wait for Brad Treliving's last contract year next season before deciding his future? | ||
| Yes | 133 | 12.7 % |
| No | 911 | 87.3 % |
| List of polls | ||