Blade of Steel has no direct affiliation to the NHL or NHLPA

MLSE CEO Keith Pelley forces Brad Treliving to change course at the deadline


PUBLICATION
Alexander Cole
February 14, 2026  (5:54)
SHARE THIS STORY

MLSE President and CEO Keith Pelley speaks to the media during the press conference at BMO Training Ground.
Photo credit: Nick Turchiaro-Imagn Images

With the NHL trade deadline on the horizon, MLSE CEO Keith Pelley is making his demands clear to Toronto Maple Leafs general manager Brad Treliving.

Brad Treliving and the Toronto Maple Leafs are supposed to be sellers at the trade deadline this season, as the team just isn't in a position to compete.
Guys like Bobby McMann are expected to be on the move, but there is still a lot that needs to be figured out before that finally happens.
With that in mind, it would appear as though there is a fracture forming between the front office and the ownership group.
MLSE CEO Keith Pelley is a man who knows what he wants, and apparently, those wants involve pushing for the postseason.

Keith Pelley with a directive for Brad Treliving

According to Darren Dreger, Pelley has made it clear to Treliving that he wants the general manager to push for the playoffs, at least for the time being.
However, if by March 6th, the team is out of the playoff picture, then he has full permission to start making some trades.
It's more likely than not that...ownership are saying nah, we're in this thing, because the playoff revenue matters, we're in this thing until...March 6th, then if...we're out, then Brad you gotta make a flurry of trades
This is an interesting situation for the Toronto Maple Leafs, who have a ton of expectations given the fact that they have Auston Matthews and William Nylander on the roster.
Injuries are why this team is not in a playoff spot. Had they been healthy, there would have been no reason to push the panic button.
The hope is that guys come back healthy from the Olympics, and this team goes on a run. For now, that is still very much up in the air.
POLL
FEVRIER 14|323 ANSWERS
MLSE CEO Keith Pelley forces Brad Treliving to change course at the deadline

Should the Toronto Maple Leafs be buyers at the NHL Trade Deadline?

YES15247.1 %
NO17152.9 %
List of polls

BLADE OF STEEL
COPYRIGHT @2026 - ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
TERMS OF SERVICE - PRIVACY POLICY - COOKIE POLICY
RSS FEED - SITEMAP - ROBOTS.TXT