Maple Leafs GM Brad Treliving's Future Uncertain Amid Playoff Miss

Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman says Toronto won't allow Treliving to enter next season without clarity on his contract status.

Mar. 14, 2026 at 3:03pm

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The Toronto Maple Leafs are facing an uncertain future after missing the playoffs for the first time since 2016, with speculation growing about potential changes, including the status of general manager Brad Treliving. Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman addressed the Treliving situation, saying the Leafs are unlikely to allow him to go into next season without clarity on his contract, which expires at the end of the 2023-24 season.

Why it matters

The Leafs' failure to make the playoffs this season has raised questions about the team's direction, and Treliving's contract status adds to the uncertainty. The organization has faced instability in the past with former GMs Kyle Dubas and Brendan Shanahan, and they appear determined to avoid a similar situation with Treliving.

The details

The Leafs currently sit at the bottom of the Atlantic Division with a 28-27-11 record, marking the first time they've missed the playoffs since 2016. After starting the season with high expectations, the team was forced to become sellers at the trade deadline. Treliving's contract with the Leafs expires at the end of the 2023-24 season, and Friedman believes the organization will not allow him to enter next season without clarity on his future.

  • The Leafs' 6-4 win over the Anaheim Ducks on Thursday ended an eight-game losing streak.
  • The Leafs visit the Buffalo Sabres on Saturday at 7:00 p.m. ET.

The players

Brad Treliving

The general manager of the Toronto Maple Leafs, whose contract expires at the end of the 2023-24 season.

Kyle Dubas

A former general manager of the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Brendan Shanahan

A former general manager of the Toronto Maple Leafs.

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What they’re saying

“The one thing I wanted to say about Toronto is that there is all this discourse about what changes might happen, and might not happen. Brad Treliving has one more year left on his contract. I cannot see the Maple Leafs allowing him to go into next year without some clarity. I just don't see it.”

— Elliotte Friedman, Sportsnet Analyst (Sportsnet)

“They did it with Dubas—look at the craziness it caused. They did it with Shanahan—look at all the uncertainty it caused. I just don't see them doing that. I think one way or the other, we're gonna get some finality here. After seeing what happened the last couple of years, they realized that's just not the right way to do business.”

— Elliotte Friedman, Sportsnet Analyst (Sportsnet)

What’s next

The Leafs' 6-4 win over the Anaheim Ducks on Thursday ended an eight-game losing streak, but one win in nine games won't stop the discussion about the franchise's immediate future. While there is no indication of an imminent move before the regular season concludes, Friedman made it clear that Toronto's brass will likely not allow a repeat of the 2025-26 season.

The takeaway

The uncertainty surrounding the Maple Leafs' general manager Brad Treliving's contract status adds to the team's struggles this season, as they missed the playoffs for the first time in a decade. The organization appears determined to avoid the instability they've faced in the past with former GMs, and will likely seek to provide clarity on Treliving's future before the start of next season.