PRIVATE POLICY

The Toronto Maple Leafs are set to receive some unfortunate news on the injury front, as according to Sportsnet's Luke Fox, Oliver Ekman-Larsson is unlikely to dress for the Maple Leafs on Saturday due to a lower-body injury suffered against the San Jose Sharks on Thursday. The Maple Leafs defenceman was ruled out of the contest following the second period, after an awkward collision with Sharks forward Adam Gaudette behind the Maple Leafs' net. Oliver Ekman-Larsson skated 11 shifts while logging 7:03 before the injury; he finished a minus one for the game. Oliver Ekman-Larsson's value to the Maple Leafs blueline Ekman-Larsson has missed three games this season, with none being due to injury. His most recent absence was due to the birth of his child, while he sat out ahead of the trade deadline, for trade purposes. In Ekman-Larsson's absence, the Maple Leafs and Craig Berube are expected to slot Troy Stecher back into the lineup alongside Simon Benoit. The Maple Leafs are expected to keep their top four intact with Morgan Rielly alongside Philippe Myers and Brandon Carlo with Jake McCabe. The Swedish defenceman has been one of the few bright spots this season as he has steadily been one of the best players within the lineup on a nightly basis. Ekman-Larsson has led all Maple Leafs defenseman, currently sitting fifth on the team in points with 38 points, including eight goals in 72 games. Because of Ekman-Larsson's strong play, he earned an invite to play on Team Sweden's Olympic roster, where he suited up on five occasions. The Maple Leafs are going to have to rely on their defensive depth for the remainder of the season, if Oliver Ekman-Larsson is unlikely to return. With just six games remaining on the Maple Leafs schedule, it could be for the best to sit out the defenceman for the remainder of the season.

For the first time since 2015-16, the Toronto Maple Leafs will miss the playoffs. Over the previous nine seasons, the Maple Leafs qualified, which was the longest active streak in the NHL. Maple Leafs miss playoffs for first time in 9 years The Maple Leafs' 4-1 loss to the San Jose Sharks on Thursday officially ended the streak. From the very beginning of the season, this year has just simply felt off; it was their first season without hometown star Mitch Marner, and the inconsistency of their play continued throughout the season. Over the last nine seasons, the Maple Leafs have been labelled a great regular-season team, but when it came time to perform, they often crumbled. With just two series wins over the last nine playoff runs, many needed a change, even if it would make them worse. The offseason saw former general manager Brad Treliving attempt to make up for the absence of Mitch Marner, but that proved to be a difficult task. But many still believed this team would make the postseason, just at a regression from winning the Atlantic Division. A terrible start proved to be too much The Maple Leafs got off to a slow start and saw their record fall below .500 heading into the middle stages of the season. Slight resurgence in late December and into January saw this team have some life and sit in a wild-card spot, but there was too much inconsistency for this formula to hold off. Injuries throughout the season also proved to be too much for this lineup. With players such as John Tavares past his prime and Auston Matthews unable to find his goal-scoring touch, the Maple Leafs had to rely solely on William Nylander to drive the offence. However, Nylander suffered groin injuries throughout the second half of the season, which sent the Maple Leafs on a six-game losing streak when it seemed to matter most. Many are hoping this is just a one-season blimp, and a retool to the roster could be what they needed. For the remainder of the season, Maple Leafs fans hope the losing continues as if they can fall inside the bottom five heading into the lottery their is a good chance they find a way to keep their first round selection this season.

As the Toronto Maple Leafs begin to turn the page to next season, one of the more under-the-radar storylines is the emergence of Bo Groulx and the role he could play moving forward. The Maple Leafs finally gave Groulx his chance when former general manager Brad Treliving decided to make the Maple Leafs sellers ahead of the trade deadline. The Maple Leafs later made three trades involving their forward core, which opened up spots throughout the lineup for a number of different minor league prospects. Groulx has made the most of this opportunity and has earned minutes as the second line centre alongside Matthew Knies and Matias Maccelli. Groulx is producing at every level with the Maple Leafs From the beginning of his Maple Leafs tenure, Groulx has been solid for the Maple Leafs. In 10 games with the Maple Leafs, Groulx has produced 10 points, including three goals, while averaging just north of 15 minutes on ice. With the Toronto Marlies in the AHL, he has registered 50 points in 55 games, nearly producing at a goal per game rate. Groulx has been able to act as a spark plug in any scenario within the Maple Leafs organization, and it is just beginning to show the value he can produce to any NHL team. Searching for answers down the middle of the ice The Maple Leafs have been searching for depth down the middle of the ice since moving on from Nicolas Roy and Auston Matthews' injury. John Tavares is no longer the player he once was, which opens a massive opportunity for many players within the lineup. Bo Groulx instantly caught the attention of the coaching staff, which has earned him minutes within the top six. Groulx plays a style of hockey that any team needs; he is a reliable, in-your-face two-way centre. Standing at 6'2" and over 200 lbs, he combines being a power forward with a responsible defensive game, which gives him minutes on the top penalty kill unit. With major decisions upcoming this offseason, this seems like an easy decision that needs to happen. Bo Groulx has already shown he can contribute at the NHL level while excelling in the AHL on a cheap contract. Based on his production, playing style, and fit within the lineup, he should be considered a lock to start next season as a regular for the Toronto Maple Leafs.

The Toronto Maple Leafs' third-period comeback win over the Anaheim Ducks had fans wondering where this type of performance had been all season long. Before the contest began, the Maple Leafs players were dealt the news of the firing of their general manager, Brad Treliving. This was an emotional game right from the beginning of the contest. Leading up to puck drop, everyone knew this was going to be an emotional night. To set the scene, Radko Gudas, on March 12th, laid a dirty knee-on-knee hit that ended Maple Leafs captain Auston Matthews' season. With the response being very minimal on March 12th, and the amount of backlash the Maple Leafs received, you knew this game was circled on their calendars. Action packed game from the beginning Just three seconds into the game, Max Domi dropped the gloves with Radko Gudas. Heading into this game, Radko Gudas was not planning on playing. He was out in prior games due to a lower-body injury he suffered after returning from his five-game suspension. This fight was extremely lopsided as Gudas virtually accepted what was going to happen and took the punches from Domi. This continued throughout the night as the Maple Leafs targeted various Ducks players, and it was a physical fight the entirety of the game. For Maple Leafs fans watching this game, you truly wonder why it took them so long to play this style of hockey and understand the need to step up for one another. You can pose the question of whether they did this because of the backlash received or if they truly cared about their captain. For the majority of the night, the Anaheim Ducks were the far better team; they got out to an early 2-0 lead, and later a 3-1 lead heading into the third period. Matthew Knies said postgame, "We were inspired tonight, for sure," and that showed in the third period, as it was one of the best periods of the season. From the very beginning of the period, they were much faster and more desperate. Knies cut the lead to one after a perfectly placed shot that beat Ville Husso over the shoulder. William Nylander later opted to shoot in the same spot to tie the game at 3's on a breakaway. With Leo Carlsson tying the game late after Morgan Rielly gave the Maple Leafs the lead, they didn't panic like we've seen multiple times this season. A back-and-forth overtime saw John Tavares win it for the Maple Leafs with five seconds remaining in the extra frame. The game many fans have wanted This was an effort from the Maple Leafs we haven't seen in the Auston Matthews era. From the start, many knew this game meant more to them. Despite going down multiple times throughout the game, they stayed with it and didn't quit. This is what Maple Leafs fans have been waiting for all season long.

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.