The Toronto Maple Leafs made a major decision regarding the future of the organization on Monday, when they fired their general manager, Brad Treliving, just a few hours before puck drop against the Anaheim Ducks. The timing of the decision came as a surprise to many players, fans, and reporters. This kind of decision sent shockwaves throughout the team; however, it did not seem to affect them once the puck dropped. John Tavares thoughts on the Brad Treliving firing Veteran forward John Tavares spoke on the Treliving firing, taking accountability for how the season unfolded. "A real tough one, because Brad brought us all in here, tremendous belief in us, and we just didn't deliver. And it falls on us, starting with myself, in just not playing consistent enough and doing what we need to do to be a better hockey team," he told Sportsnet's Luke Fox. Tavares recognizes how disappointing this season has been, just one year after winning the Atlantic Division, they find themselves at the bottom of the NHL. Tavares also understands that they have underperformed and haven't been able to find consistency throughout the season, and truly have let the organization down, which forces them to make this kind of decision. Matthew Knies comments on moving forward Matthew Knies later spoke to the media following the firing and explained how surprising it was to the players, especially the timing. "A little shocking, to be honest. Pretty abrupt. Not much of a notice right before the game ... now it's starting to set in. I wish him the best of luck. An unbelievable person. He got to know me really well & I cherish that relationship we had," Knies told TSN's Mark Masters. What comes next for the organization Everyone who has met Brad Treliving and has worked with him mentions how nice and great a person he is. Unfortunately for Treliving, this is a results-based industry, especially if you are the general manager of the Toronto Maple Leafs. Knies touches on how he will cherish their relationship and how difficult the personal side of these decisions is. Decisions like these can often carry heavy emotions throughout the locker room, particularly for the players he has gotten to know best over his three-year tenure. The Maple Leafs players must keep their focus as they close out the season. They need to begin thinking of the future and trusting MLSE CEO Keith Pelley on who the next general manager is. The reason they are in this position is because of them, so the only thing that can be done in this scenario is to move forward and learn from this. The reactions from inside the room show a group that understands what went wrong; all we can do is see how they respond.

On Monday, just two hours prior to their puck drop against the Anaheim Ducks, the Toronto Maple Leafs made the inevitable decision to fire Brad Treliving as their general manager. With the future looking uncertain, could we see more firings throughout the organization? Craig Berube is a person who should feel like he is on the hot seat, just as many coaches around the NHL. His time in Toronto, if moved on from this offseason, will have fans feeling mixed emotions. Berube led the Maple Leafs to their first Atlantic Division title for the first time in 25 years, and brought them to their furthest playoff run in the Matthews era with a mere 10. While the Maple Leafs mathematically are not eliminated from the postseason, they are set to miss the playoffs for the first time since 2015-16, which is also under Berube. Craig Berube's job security is in question Following the Maple Leafs' victory over the Anaheim Ducks, Berube was asked whether he thinks about his future and his current feelings. “I don’t think about it, guys. I mean, I really don’t. You probably think I’m bulls--ting you, but I’m not. I feel for Brad right now and his family. That’s what I feel right now.” This seems like a coach who understands his fate but doesn't want to speak on it until Keith Pelley, CEO of MLSE, makes a set decision. Craig Berube, over his two-season stretch with the Maple Leafs, thus far has a record of 84-56-17, which is solid until you realize the Maple Leafs finished with 52 wins just one season ago. This season has been filled with disappointments; it feels as if he has lost the room, and there has been constant back and forth between the locker room and the coach. For a team that had Stanley Cup desires heading into this season, hearing your head coach question your effort night in and night out is not acceptable. Craig Berube's style of coaching does not fit the Maple Leafs Years two to four of coaching a team, no matter the level or the sport, are the hardest stretch in coaching. Players begin to hear the same message, and unless presented differently, they are likely to have it go in one ear and out the other. Berube is a fantastic coach; he won the Stanley Cup in 2019 with the St. Louis Blues, but for some reason, it seems that the team has quit on the coach, just like they did with Mike Babcock and Sheldon Keefe. Craig Berube's physical style of hard-checking hockey is one that has proven not to work with the Maple Leafs stars. Auston Matthews has hit career lows in goals and points over the past two seasons, but in addition, he has become a far more reliable defensive centre. The bad thing about this is you don't pay your best player north of $13 million to be a defensive centre. Moving on from Craig Berube will not be easy; however, it will be needed to get the Leafs to the next level. When looking to find a new head coach, they have to do a far better job than Treliving did. Instead of hiring the best coach available with the best accolades, they need to opt for someone who fits the roster and the players they feel are part of the future.

Heading into Monday night's contest against the Anaheim Ducks, many expected it to be a physical contest, and it has yet to disappoint. There have been many fights on both ends, and is known as the revenge game. Max Domi setting the tone early in the contest Toronto Maple Leafs winger Max Domi, just three seconds into the game, dropped the gloves with Ducks captain Radko Gudas in response to Gudas ending Maple Leafs captain Auston Matthews season just a few weeks prior. Gudas played in the contest after suffering a lower-body injury after returning from his five-game suspension. Following the Domi and Gudas fight, the Maple Leafs and Domi wanted more. During the second period, Domi fought Ducks defenceman Pavel Mintyukov after being taken to the ground along the boards. The Toronto native easily won the fight and was ejected from the contest. It was surprising to many that Gudas suited up in the game despite the lower-body injury and the Ducks holding onto a slim three-point Pacific Division lead. Gudas later left the game in the second period. Michael Pezzetta later ejected from the game Despite Max Domi's ejection, the Maple Leafs continued to target the Anaheim Ducks, as Michael Pezzetta was given a game misconduct for attempting to engage in a fight with Gudas while pushing a referee. Pezzetta, who has only dressed in five contests with the Maple Leafs this season, will likely have to face the NHL, depending on the referee report postgame. With the Maple Leafs often criticized for not stepping up in moments like this, seeing Max Domi and the rest of the lineup rally behind their captain was something many in Leafs Nation needed to see. It sets a clear tone moving forward. This is the standard for how the team should respond and support one another when situations like this arise.

The Toronto Maple Leafs’ decision to part ways with general manager Brad Treliving on Monday raises questions about who Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment will turn to as his replacement. Maple Leafs Sport & Entertainment CEO Keith Pelley will look to take his time when trying to find a replacement for the position; however, they must find the correct replacement a few weeks prior to the NHL Draft. Lucky for them, their next replacement should be right in front of their eyes. Brandon Pridham has been with the Toronto Maple Leafs organization since 2014-15 as their assistant general manager, while playing a critical role in their success of qualifying for the playoffs nine straight seasons. Brandon Pridham could be the perfect option for next Leafs GM Pridham, over his 12-year tenure with the Maple Leafs, has worked with four different Maple Leafs general managers. Originally hired when Dave Nonis served the position, he remained with the organization alongside Lou Lamoriello, Kyle Dubas, and, most recently, Brad Treliving. Before his time with the Maple Leafs, he began his career in the NHL in 1999 as a coordinator in NHL Central Scouting, as well as Central Registry. Pridham, throughout his time in Toronto, has been known for being the "salary cap specialist," he has constantly worked around the cap to help ice the best team possible despite throwing all their money towards the core four. Pridham, if awarded the general manager position, could prove to be a smooth and easy transition. The Toronto native has consistently found players that fit within the team and could provide true value around their star players. If considered for the position, we could see the Maple Leafs become a much more balanced team, rather than just looking to find the next big star. Why the Maple Leafs should look internally We have seen analytical general managers work in all sports, notably Billy Beane with the Oakland Athletics. While hockey isn't played on the computer and through math, having a general manager that understands the value of their contracts and allocating money into the correct positions can go along way for a team's long-term success. The Maple Leafs, over the past nine seasons, have struggled to score when it matters, as they haven't had much around their stars. Pridham can use his strengths to his advantage and push a new era in Maple Leafs hockey. Instead of the Maple Leafs looking to find a big-name replacement, they should opt to look internally and make a safe, reliable choice heading into next season. The recent general managers have worked in the way many expected, and Pridham could be the best option to bring them to the promised land.

Heading into the offseason, the Toronto Maple Leafs will have a lot of questions regarding the front office and the coaching staff. With Keith Pelley having one-on-one meetings with the front office, decisions regarding Brad Treliving's future could be answered in the near future. According to TSN's Darren Dreger, Maple Leafs management has not made any final decisions on anyone's future and is unsure what the front office will look like next season. "If you’re Brad Treliving, you likely have a pretty good sense of what’s coming." It seems more likely that there will be a change in management, “though we don’t know that for sure." Dreger also reports that Keith Pelley wants to see how the remainder of the regular season ends before jumping to any conclusions. "I think ownership and senior management just want to see how the season plays out, have their internal meetings, and then make those decisions." Leafs GM Brad Treliving is on the hot seat Brad Treliving should feel as if he is on the hot seat, as in just his third season as Maple Leafs general manager, he has run this team into the ground, as they are going to miss the postseason for the first time since 2015-16. Treliving has made several terrible decisions that have led the Maple Leafs to this point. Over the past two trade deadlines, he sent the Maple Leafs top prospect, Fraser Minten and a first-round pick (top-five protected) and a fourth-round pick in exchange for Brandon Carlo, who has been a complete bust, while sending spark plug Nikita Grebenkin and a 2027 1st round-pick in exchange for Scott Laughton, who was dealt just one season later for a third-round pick, which can turn into a second if the Los Angeles Kings make the playoffs. Failure of the season has one person to blame This past offseason, the acquisitions he made to supposedly replace Mitch Marner completely failed. Matias Maccelli has been a solid player in the top six as of late; however, Dakota Joshua makes far too much money for how he plays, while Nicolas Roy has already been shipped out to the Colorado Avalanche. Treliving has acknowledged these mistakes, mentioning, "We’ve underperformed. I take responsibility. I’m in charge of the hockey department. I put the people in place." Treliving said during a media availability in November. Tough decisions will have to be made this offseason before Treliving digs the Maple Leafs into a much deeper hole moving forward. He has proved time and time again, even throughout his time with the Calgary Flames, that he is not the correct person for the job.

The Toronto Maple Leafs continue to struggle as they get dominated on Saturday against the St. Louis Blues 5-1. This game was just a constant reminder of why the Maple Leafs sit towards the bottom of the NHL. Craig Berube criticizes Maple Leafs after ugly loss to Blues Craig Berube highlighted another disappointing night for the Maple Leafs, summing up the entirety of the season in one sentence. "But again, if you don’t have urgency and you are not competitive, you are just letting each other down. You’re letting that sweater down. That is the bottom line," Berube said after the game. Time and time again this season, the Maple Leafs have simply not shown up for the game and often get dominated by their opponents. Berube did speak highly of Joseph Woll, though. "We had one player who showed up tonight, and that was our goalie. That is really what it boils down to." Despite giving up five goals, the game could have been far more lopsided as he faced 38 shots. With Woll being a Missouri native, everyone knew this was a big game for him, and the final result will always be disappointing, no matter where you are in the standings. Maple Leafs slide down the standings The Maple Leafs won their two previous games over the Boston Bruins and New York Rangers, and it seemed as if they were building momentum heading into Saturday; however, right from the beginning of the puck drop, it was very evident who the better team was. "It’s very disappointing. I thought the last couple of games were pretty good, and we were building. As I talked about, we were staying competitive and playing together out there. We did not have that tonight." Berube said postgame. The Maple Leafs continue to slide down the standings, as they now sit 24th in the entire NHL, while being two points ahead of the Blues for that all-important bottom-five spot. Toronto is set for a Western Conference road trip that begins against the Anaheim Ducks on Monday.

With the Toronto Maple Leafs season coming to an end over the next nine games, and the Maple Leafs well outside of a playoff spot, it should lead to the Maple Leafs answering questions heading into next season, especially with the forward group. A major question that has arisen is the Maple Leafs' depth down the middle, with John Tavares getting up there in age and not capable of driving a line on his own. They are going to find new ways to be creative and find players to fill these holes. William Nylander is a player who is capable of driving a line on his own and has had a past of playing centre prior to his days with the Maple Leafs. What if Maple Leafs put William Nylander down the middle? Nylander played his junior career with Södertälje SK in the HockeyAllsvenskan, Modo, and Rogle BK, where he was a natural centre and dominated in Sweden. Once his career shifted to North America and he played for the Toronto Marlies, Sheldon Keefe decided to move Nylander to the wing. Since that decision, he never went back to the centre position. In Nylander's first season in the NHL, head coach at the time, Mike Babcock, kept him on the wing and played him alongside Auston Matthews, where the two connected and provided a load of offence in the top six. 10 seasons later, it may be time for the Maple Leafs to put Nylander down the middle. It may take some time, but it could be worth it If the Swedish forward can refind his game at the centre position, it could make the Maple Leafs centre core the most dangerous we have seen in this era with Auston Matthews, John Tavares, Bo Groulx and now Nylander. This leaves the management staff to find players who fit on either of the wings. The bottom six will begin to form itself throughout the season, but it could seriously change the dynamic of the team, especially up front. The offseason ahead of them will ultimately decide this, and if they are willing to take the risk over the next few weeks. With how the season has gone for many on the team, this slight change simply couldn't make this season any worse.

The Toronto Maple Leafs have had a very disappointing season and are set to miss the postseason for the first time since 2015-16, just one season after winning the Atlantic Division and going on their furthest playoff run in this era of Maple Leafs hockey. These disappointments could lead to big decisions in the offseason that could alter their future for countless seasons to come. Auston Matthews has become a player who has emerged in the trade rumours, and could be dealt to a Western Conference juggernaut, the Minnesota Wild. Matthews has emerged in the rumours, as he is projected to sit down with the Maple Leafs management staff in the offseason to see if their plans align and if he likes the plan they want to take moving forward. If this conversation heads south, there is a good chance the Maple Leafs and Matthews may look to part ways before the end of his contract in 2028. The Minnesota Wild emerging as top contender for Auston Matthews For the Minnesota Wild, since acquiring Quinn Hughes in December, it seems as if Bill Guerin is out to target another superstar. Guerin has been very open about his love for Matthews, as he led the team during the Four Nations Face-Off and led the Americans to a gold medal during the Olympics just one month ago, with Guerin being the backbone of the team as the general manager. Guerin recently spoke on TSN 1050 about Matthews and his appreciation for the player. "I've gotten to know Auston over the last couple of years, and I think the world of him. I think he's one of the best two-way guys in the game. I think that his defensive game, his two-way game, is completely underrated. He's a hell of a player. I know he deals with a lot there in Toronto, but I think the world of him." The assets may not be enough going the Maple Leafs way If the Wild are interested in acquiring the Maple Leafs captain, there is no secret that it would be very difficult to make it come to fruition. The Maple Leafs are going to be charging a premium for his rights, and the Wild may not have the assets the Maple Leafs are looking for. Michael Russo spoke alongside Nick Kypreos and Justin Bourne and talked about how the deal would be very difficult for the Wild to entice the Maple Leafs to make this deal, as they simply don't have the assets. “If Auston Matthews was on the trade block, the Wild would be in on that… but unless Auston said ‘I’m only going to Minnesota,’ I don’t see how the Wild would have the assets.” Player who the Maple Leafs attempt to acquire back in the trade would be Jesper Wallstedt and Matt Boldy. Both elite talents, that would solidify their questions in the net and bring a high-skilled power forward that the Maple Leafs have desperately lacked over the past few seasons. Any deal that involves Auston Matthews may be very difficult to do; however, if he does become available, a trade involving the Minnesota Wild seems very likely.

The Toronto Maple Leafs played one of their most complete games of the season on Tuesday against the Boston Bruins. One main reason for the great play was because of Easton Cowan, and head coach Craig Berube praised his efforts postgame and talked about what it means to have him in the lineup far more often. Craig Berube's comments on Easton Cowan "It’s great. The guys were getting in there and protecting their teammates, which is good. I’ve got to give Easton a lot of credit; that’s a young kid going after a big man, and Dakota Joshua took care of business. It’s really good to see the team stuff like that." Berube said postgame. Giving a player like Cowan, especially at this point in the season, measures how a player can develop. Gaining confidence late in the season could build momentum, as he will play a crucial role in the middle six heading into next season. "Playing in London and being around the Hunter brothers, and learning about how to do things right, is a big part of it. He just has a lot of character, that kid. He had a heck of a game, too. He did a lot of good things out there. He understands, the same as the Anaheim game. If we go back to that, he went out and went after one of their guys. That is instilled in him. He has that. It’s great to see." Berube explained. Potential to become an NHL star John Tavares added on to this, saying, “Great for him to continue to grow and mature." “He’ll continue to learn how to handle those situations and handle himself. It’s a pretty big night; he was going out there. The way he came in defence of me, it speaks volumes to his passion for the group and the team.” Easton Cowan has a lot of potential to become a star in the NHL, and Craig Berube explains this. He has a great foundation from the London Knights of the OHL, and I think he has learnt a lot since being in the NHL, and it has shown throughout the season. The young forward has produced nine goals and 13 assists in 56 games. He may be a young winger, but he plays with tenacity and a relentless effort that is needed by any team to be successful.

The Toronto Maple Leafs have recalled goalie Dennis Hildeby from the AHL's Toronto Marlies on an emergency basis. Dennis Hildeby recalled with Anthony Stolarz out This is in retrospect to Anthony Stolarz's scary injury during warm-ups against the Ottawa Senators. Stolarz took a puck to the throat from William Nylander and was taken to the hospital. Stolarz was later reported to be released from the hospital and met the team on the plane. Joseph Woll was then forced to play his second game in as many days and made 38 saves in their 5-2 loss to the Senators. Craig Berube spoke postgame regarding Stolarz's injury, mentioning, "He’ll be meeting us at the plane, I think he’s doing ok.” Anthony Stolarz was back on the ice Monday with the Maple Leafs and is projected to be travelling with the team to play either on Tuesday against the Boston Bruins or on Wednesday against the New York Rangers. Dennis Hildeby strong play with the Maple Leafs Dennis Hildeby has played strongly when with the Maple Leafs this season, but wasn't present for practice on Monday and likely won't get a start on their upcoming road trip. He leads the Maple Leafs netminders in save percentage, sitting with a .912 and a goals against average of 2.90. His record of 5-6-4 is not a reflection of his play, but rather of how the team has played collectively in front of their goaltenders this season. Hildeby will look to get a larger role with the Maple Leafs if their management staff decides to move one of their main netminders. The Maple Leafs will look to finish their regular season strong, despite the constant struggles throughout the season. With 10 games remaining, the dispersion in net from the three goaltenders can pave the way for what they may look to have for the upcoming seasons.