'The failures here start with me': Treliving addresses Leafs deadline after tough media questions
Photo credit: Toronto Maple Leafs - YouTube
Toronto Maple Leafs GM Brad Treliving was blunt in his assessment of the team's season during his address to the media after the 2026 NHL Trade Deadline where the team dealt away some pieces but the return seemed to be less than anticipated.
The Maple Leafs were busy on Friday as they traded Bobby McMann and Scott Laughton to the Seattle Kraken and Los Angeles Kings respectively and in return received three draft picks. Add in the Nic Roy trade and suddenly the team has five picks in the bank -- what they do next is anyone's guess though.
Treliving's comments spark no hope for Maple Leafs
Brad Treliving headed the deals on Friday and addressed the media after a bit of a lacklustre deadline where the returns back weren't as high as anticipated meanwhile other teams seemed to walk away with a king's ransom for their targets.
Treliving explained his reasoning in his media address after the deadline, and was honest in his observations about the season and where the responsibility lies:
The failures here start with me and after the season there's certainly a lot of evaluations to be had. We had a lot of issues -- roster makeup, lack of consistency, the ability to maintain any level; but we'll get to that in time."
At least he's taking some accountability but it's more talk from the Maple Leafs GM who could have had a much bigger haul had he not seemingly rushed things last minute. For weeks we heard a first potentially for Bobby McMann -- heck even two second-rounders; but only a second and a fourth is pretty miserable.
Laughton also was dealt for a single pick; a third-rounder nonetheless but it does come with a condition that makes it at least a little easier to swallow, but the team also paid a first for him last year.
And Treliving explained that it wasn't for lack of trying, but a seemingly bare market of suitors for the veteran:
The market dictates.
The market dictated that a hit-first slow power forward is worth a second-rounder meanwhile he only got a second based on a condition. It's a really bizarre comment especially when the evidence there were buyers is clear.
Waiting until the clock struck 3 PM was possibly the worst outcome given that the Leafs had weeks and months to do their homework.
Leafs Deadline at a glance
Out: (F) Bobby McMann (Seattle), (F) Nicolas Roy (Colorado), (F) Scott Laughton (Los Angeles)
In: 2027 2nd, 2026 4th, 2027 1st, 2026 3rd, and a 2026 5th-round pick
Verdict: Maple Leafs sell as best they can but the return packages will leave fans frustrated and wanting more.
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MARS 6|672 ANSWERS 'The failures here start with me': Treliving addresses Leafs deadline after tough media questions Should Brad Treliving be fired? | ||
| Yes | 639 | 95.1 % |
| No | 33 | 4.9 % |
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