The Toronto Maple Leafs currently hold a 27-24-10 record with 64 points in 61 games this season, positioning them seventh in the Atlantic Division and flirting with missing the playoffs. As the trade deadline on March 6 approaches, General Manager Brad Treliving faces critical decisions. Despite his control over impending trades, uncertainty surrounds his continued role in the organization beyond this season.
Head Coach Craig Berube, who has guided the team for the past two seasons, is also under scrutiny. After a second-round playoff exit in Game 7 against the Florida Panthers last year, expectations were high for Toronto to remain a strong playoff contender. However, the team’s current struggles have cast doubt on both leadership roles.
Inside Sources Indicate GM and Coach May Not Return Next Season
TSN insider Pierre LeBrun suggests sweeping changes could follow the close of the 2025-2026 NHL campaign. He remarked,
“I don’t think anyone can answer for sure, whether the GM or coach are back next year.”
Should the Maple Leafs fail to reach the postseason or experience a significant downturn, management may seek to rebuild drastically, potentially starting by trading marquee players Auston Matthews and William Nylander during the offseason.
This possible overhaul signals a recognition that the current core has possibly reached its peak, and the franchise may opt for a fresh direction. Treliving has served as GM since the 2023-2024 season, and Berube was hired largely due to his Stanley Cup-winning experience with the St. Louis Blues in 2019. Still, Toronto has not captured a Stanley Cup since the 1966-1967 season, highlighting the urgency for change.
Franchise Faces Crucial Crossroads Amid Mounting Pressure
The Maple Leafs’ failure to advance deep into the playoffs after last season’s hopes has intensified demand for organizational shifts. With the trade deadline imminent, Treliving’s moves could be his last as GM if the team’s downward trajectory continues. The potential firing of both GM and coach reflects a growing frustration within the franchise and its fan base, who yearn for a return to prominence in the NHL.
Looking ahead, the Maple Leafs’ management decisions in the offseason will likely define their direction for years to come, as rebuilding or restructuring the team could reshape the Atlantic Division landscape and the broader league hierarchy.
LeBrun on the Leafs: “I don’t think anyone can answer for sure, whether the GM or coach are back next year.” 😳 #OverDrive pic.twitter.com/nrTrxti9qo
— TSN (@TSN_Sports) March 2, 2026
