Should the spotlight be on Brad Treliving more for Leafs’ current struggles?
The Toronto Maple Leafs had been having a roller coaster of a season, but lately it’s begun to feel like one of those “Drop Tower”-esque rides that are meant to mimic a freefall. Following Sunday’s 5-1 drubbing at the hands of the Dallas Stars, the Leafs have lost five of their last six games, and now sit alone at the bottom of the Atlantic Division standings with 35 points in 35 games.
Given Toronto was expected to be a playoff team prior to the season, fingers have been pointing at an alarming rate in Leafs-land. Many have framed head coach Craig Berube as the problem, forcing his team to play a passive, defensive style that doesn’t fit its personnel. Others have blamed the players for poor effort and a lack of focus. Fewer people, though, and maybe not enough, have criticized general manager Brad Treliving for assembling a losing roster. After all, he’s the guy that let star winger Mitch Marner walk away for an underwhelming return, and has turned a fast, skilled team into a heavy, sluggish one.
On Monday’s episode of Daily Faceoff LIVE, hosts Tyler Yaremchuk and Colby Cohen discussed the Leafs’ recent nosedive, and how much of the blame Treliving should shoulder.
Tyler Yaremchuk: What do you make of the mess that is the Toronto Maple Leafs?
Colby Cohen: A month ago, I said fire the players, not the coach. I still think changes have to be made within the roster. But I just don’t understand how nobody is looking at Brad Treliving. All the noise is around Craig Berube. At this point, you really have no choice, you have to make a coaching change, because you can’t trade 23 players, I understand that. But look at the construction of the team. Your number-one defenseman is really like a number-four now, on a good team. Obviously (Chris) Tanev is out, but he’s not a number-one defenseman. (Brandon) Carlo is out, but he’s not a number-one. You’re just looking at a team that’s flawed. They can’t get the puck out of their own zone, they don’t defend the rush well. They’re asking Jake McCabe to be a number-one, and he could be a perfect partner for a number-one, or a perfect partner for a number-two, but asking him to be that is not fair, he’s not paid to be that.
You look at the moves. Who are the big free-agent signings? (Tyler) Bertuzzi and (Max) Domi. What are some of the trades and the players he’s brought in? Brad Treliving has made this team slow. He’s gotten rid of the puck transporters on the back end. He made some interesting decisions with how much he paid a guy who I think is their backup goaltender. I guess I’m not really sure at this point who does what in Toronto. I just don’t understand how the spotlight is not on him.
You can watch the full segment and the rest of the episode here…