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A message was sent to Brad Treliving, and he has to act now


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Alexander Cole
February 2, 2026  (8:57)
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May 21, 2024; Toronto, Ontario, CANADA; Toronto Maple Leafs general manager Brad Treliving speaks during a media conference to introduce new head coach Craig Berube (not shown) at Ford Performance Centre.
Photo credit: Dan Hamilton-Imagn Images

Toronto Maple Leafs general manager Brad Treliving remains on the hot seat, and there is no denying that the NHL Trade Deadline will be stressful for him.

The Toronto Maple Leafs have 27 games left this season, and they remain eight points out of a playoff spot. The Wild Card race is between the Buffalo Sabres and the Boston Bruins.
Meanwhile, the Montreal Canadiens could slide down into those spots if the Bruins and Sabres continue to surge at the right time.
For Maple Leafs fans, this has been extremely disappointing. Fans thought this team would be a real playoff contender this year. Instead, they have crumbled under the pressure.
As for general manager Brad Treliving, this has been a bit of an embarrassment for a multitude of reasons. After all, he put this roster together.

Brad Treliving has to make a choice

Now, the general manager has to make an extremely difficult choice. AAre the Maple Leafs going to be buyers at the NHL trade deadline, or will they be sellers?
Based on where the Leafs are in the standings, you would think the Leafs would sell. However, this is a team with Auston Matthews and William Nylander, which has led to this bizarre mentality in which the Leafs think they're still a serious contender.
That said, Brad Treliving has to draw a line in the sand. As it stands, it appears as though he is doing exactly that.
New reports suggest the Maple Leafs are finally shopping around some of the players. The intention is to sell off some guys and hoard draft assets.
The Leafs don't have many draft picks. With that being said, this is going to be an incredibly important moment for the team going forward. If they don't get this deadline right, their future is in peril.
Only time will tell whether or not the Maple Leafs can fix this. If they can't, then Brad Treliving might just lost his job over it.
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A message was sent to Brad Treliving, and he has to act now

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