The Toronto Maple Leafs dismissed their GM Brad Treliving on Monday night, The Athletic reported. The move was hardly a shocker. If anything, the decision comes a bit too late as the Leafs get set to miss the playoffs for the first time in a decade.
The questionable moves by Treliving could fill up pages upon pages here on Heavy. But the fact remains that the Treliving’s dismissal is not likely to be the only move forthcoming. The organizational shakeup has just begun. And it will also lead to another major move.
That move will be the dismissal of Craig Berube. The writing is on the wall for the Maple Leafs’ second-year coach. While Treliving’s stewardship hardly helped matters, someone has to bear the brunt of the responsibility for the Leafs’ disastrous season.
Treliving is first, Berube likely next.
The writing has been on the wall for a while now. So, dismissing Treliving is just the first logical step in what could be a cascading effect of moves to come at the organizational level.
It won’t be a pretty next couple of weeks. But someone had to rip the band-aid off. Maple Leafs CEO Keith Pelley made the first yank on Monday night. The next few will be painful, and they will likely involve some bleeding.
But that’s just part of the business.
Maple Leafs First Need to Find New GM
Before dropping Berube, the Maple Leafs will need to find their next GM. That search could be short, as rumors have persisted about St. Louis Blues incumbent Doug Armstrong moving to Toronto.
Armstrong was the GM for Team Canada at the 2026 Winter Olympics. The veteran exec’s name has been all over the rumor mill, potentially leading to a spat between the Leafs and the Blues. Regardless, it makes sense to assume that the Maple Leafs will first need to fill the GM chair before moving on to their coach.
That’s why it’s unlikely that Berube gets the ax before the end of the season. Since there really isn’t much to play for at this point but pride, there is no real rush to dismiss Berube. The real urgency lies in finding a new leader for, arguably, the most pivotal position in the Maple Leafs’ hockey structure.
Get More Maple Leafs on Heavy:
Maple Leafs Rumors: Toronto Could Have GM Candidate in Sight
Leafs Can Still Succeed with Berube in 2027
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Timing for Berube Dismissal Clear
All told, the timing for Berube’s dismissal is pretty clear. The Maple Leafs will likely move on from the veteran coach once the season ends. It doesn’t seem reasonable to make such a move now.
However, there is a solid reason for dismissing Treliving now. The rationale hinges on Bruce Cassidy’s sudden availability. The Vegas Golden Knights made a similarly shocking move by letting their head coach go on Sunday night.
That could be a reason why the Maple Leafs started by letting Treliving go. The organization might have an eye on Cassidy, with the next GM likely stepping in to close the deal.
All of that is hearsay, of course. But the timing of these moves is certainly interesting for the organization moving forward.
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