Brad Treliving Saved A Specific Bullet For The Maple Leafs’ Offseason.
Sportsnet’s Luke Fox and Jeff Marek recently discussed whether the Toronto Maple Leafs’ postseason was a success or a disaster. Is winning a single round enough with the group that new GM Brad Treliving has assembled? Or is winning just one round considered a monumental failure?
Many believe that if the Leafs do not win at least one, if not both, rounds, major changes will be necessary. Historically, the emphasis has been on first-round success. It took everything the Leafs could manage simply to win one round. Last year, they made it to the playoffs but were eliminated by the Florida Panthers. This season, even though the Leafs are clearly a worse club,
The Expectations Are High on the Maple Leafs This Season
Fox stated that, fair or not, a lot depends on the Maple Leafs going farther than they have in recent playoff appearances. At some point, simply entering and defeating one opponent is insufficient. He explains:
“I think you need to win two rounds.” Or, if you go out in the second round, there’s no excuse for going out in the first round, which may be too high a bar because they’ll be underdogs in the first round, but given what they accomplished last season, I believe they absolutely have to win a round, and if you’re going to lose in the second round, you have to push it to seven, you have to go down fighting.”
Fox stated that there are no more excuses. All of the Leafs’ best players earn large wages and are expected to produce. And for those who do not receive the money this year, their future earnings are already secure. Each player is enjoying a good season, but that must carry over into the playoffs. It’s time to perform. The fan base and the organization will not tolerate a subpar performance.
What Happens if the Leafs Flop Out Again?
Because the money has been committed to the top talents, Fox claims Treliving has only one bullet left in his chamber that he can fire this summer. That would mean firing head coach Sheldon Keefe. When Marek inquired if that was the proper decision, Fox said, “What else are you gonna do?”.
Fox noted that Mitch Marner may be the only player the Leafs might trade, calling the transaction complex. Marner has full no-move, which means the simplest, quickest, and most impactful move. Fox appears to claim that Treliving kept Keefe around to provide him an out during the offseason.
He added, “I believe Brad Treliving preserved this bullet for a reason. And I believe that if they do not perform well in the playoffs, and I am not sure how that will play out, it may not be Keefe’s fault. I just feel like something needs to change, and this is the simplest change to make.” In other words, whether the coach or the players are to blame for a defeat, the coach will bear the brunt of it.
Keefe Is in a Position to Be the Fall Guy
Keefe was handed a two-year contract extension in 2023, which would last until the end of the 2025-26 season. One could claim that there is a reason why the Treliving did not last longer. If the GM needed freedom to replace the coach, it would have been much more difficult to do on a three or five-year contract.
Frankly, if the Leafs are embarrassed in the playoffs, Keefe should be fired. Even if the players are to blame, Keefe has had his opportunities. This is his final season.