Former Maple Leafs GM Brad Treliving Speaks Publicly After Firing
The Toronto Maple Leafs wasted no time making major changes following a disappointing 2025-26 season in which they failed to make the postseason.
Perhaps the biggest change aimed at shifting the franchise's direction was the firing of former general manager Brad Treliving in late March, while the regular season was still underway.
The Leafs finished 28th in the NHL standings and second-to-last in the Eastern Conference, missed the playoffs for the first time since 2016, and decided it was time to undergo big organizational changes.
On Wednesday, Treliving made his first public appearance since the firing while appearing on TSN's "Overdrive," where he addressed the season and took responsibility for the outcome.
"When you're the manager, you take responsibility for it," Treliving said. "So the responsibility is mine."
While acknowledging his role in the poor Leafs' season, Treliving pointed to broader issues within the team that went beyond injuries and a roster missing Mitch Marner for the first time since he arrived in the NHL following his move to the Vegas Golden Knights last offseason.
"I certainly think that, you can look and say there was injuries, the beginning of the year, we had lost the goaltenders. But everybody goes through injuries. To me, those were an excuse," Treliving said. "We didn't have the buy-in. Biggest challenge for me - and I talked a little bit about it in November - is that even the games we won on the scoreboard, we weren't winning, whether it be shot share, controlling play, or driving play."
"We didn't have the buy-in."
— OverDrive (@OverDrive1050) May 20, 2026
Brad Treliving on what went wrong for the Maple Leafs throughout the season#LeafsForeverpic.twitter.com/Y1oVzmrCW7
Treliving also addressed his relationship with former head coach Craig Berube, pushing back on suggestions of any internal conflict hurting the team.
"There was never a time where we weren't on the same page," Treliving said. "You debate with the coach and the manager. I think that's the most important relationship in the organization, right? You're always going to have debates on certain things, but I consider Craig a good friend, a close friend, we talk regularly."
Toronto moved forward from Treliving's firing by hiring new general manager John Chayka, who has yet to name the new head coach of the Maple Leafs for the 2026-27 season.
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This story was originally published May 21, 2026 at 8:26 AM.