Toronto Maple Leafs Fire General Manager Brad Treliving

Maple Leafs set to miss playoffs for first time in a decade under new leadership

Mar. 31, 2026 at 1:23am

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A cubist, geometric painting depicting a fragmented Maple Leafs hockey game, with sharp blue and white planes overlapping to create a dynamic, multi-angled visual representation of the team's ongoing struggles.The Maple Leafs' latest front office shakeup signals a renewed push to end the franchise's long championship drought, with new leadership tasked to reshape the team's future.Anaheim Today

The Toronto Maple Leafs have fired general manager Brad Treliving late into his third season in charge, with the team set to miss the playoffs for the first time in a decade. Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment president Keith Pelley announced the abrupt change, stating the club must chart a new course under different leadership to achieve the ultimate goal of delivering a Stanley Cup championship to the city.

Why it matters

The Maple Leafs have not won a Stanley Cup since 1967 and are on the verge of being eliminated from playoff contention this season, despite reaching the playoffs nine consecutive years. This core led by Auston Matthews has only won two playoff series in that time, leading to the decision to part ways with Treliving and seek new leadership.

The details

Treliving was hired in May 2023 after then-president of hockey operations Brendan Shanahan fired GM Kyle Dubas. Shanahan did not have his contract renewed last year following a second-round exit. Treliving was responsible for a handful of significant moves during his tenure in Toronto, including an ill-fated deal at the deadline last year for defenseman Brandon Carlo that included sending Fraser Minten to Boston.

  • Treliving was fired late into his third season as Maple Leafs GM.
  • The Maple Leafs are set to miss the playoffs for the first time in a decade.

The players

Brad Treliving

The former general manager of the Toronto Maple Leafs who was fired late into his third season in charge.

Keith Pelley

The president of Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment who announced Treliving's firing and stated the club must chart a new course under different leadership.

Auston Matthews

The star player and leader of the Maple Leafs core that has reached the playoffs nine consecutive years but only won two playoff series in that time.

Craig Berube

The Maple Leafs head coach who was hired by Treliving in May 2024 and won the Stanley Cup with the St. Louis Blues in 2019.

Brendan Shanahan

The former president of hockey operations for the Maple Leafs who fired GM Kyle Dubas and did not have his own contract renewed last year following a second-round playoff exit.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“'Throughout the course of this season, there has been deep analysis into both the current state of the Maple Leafs organization and the direction needed to achieve the ultimate goal of delivering a Stanley Cup championship to the city. Brad Treliving is a man that we all have deep respect for, but it was determined that the club must chart a new course under different leadership.'”

— Keith Pelley, President, Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment

What’s next

It's unclear what the move means for the future of coach Craig Berube, whom Treliving hired in May 2024. The Maple Leafs will now begin the search for a new general manager to lead the team in a new direction.

The takeaway

The firing of Brad Treliving as Maple Leafs GM underscores the team's continued struggles to translate regular season success into playoff victories, despite having a talented core led by Auston Matthews. The Leafs' championship drought dating back to 1967 has led to mounting pressure to find new leadership that can finally deliver the franchise's first Stanley Cup in over 50 years.