The Brad Treliving Firing, Is Doug Armstrong the Guy, and Is Craig Berube Next?

How did the firing of GM Brad Treliving go down, and why did the Toronto Maple Leafs do it now?

TSN: Darren Dreger, when asked about how the firing of Toronto Maple Leafs GM Brad Treliving went down, why, who could replace him, and what does this mean for head coach.

** NHLRumors.com transcription

Jennifer Hedger: “MLSC and Keith Pelley deciding to let go of Brad Treliving as general manager of the Toronto Maple Leafs. How did this all go down, and why now?”

Dreger: “Well, the timing, Jenny is curious. I would admit that, but the fact that it’s happened, I don’t think should be a surprise to anyone, just based on the brutality of the Toronto Maple Leaf season to this point.

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Now, Brad Treliving isn’t going to hide from his responsibility. He knows that he played a hand in how this season has unfolded to this point. But there was a lot going on, has been a lot going on with the Toronto Maple Leafs, as has been speculated and reported on.

We know that Keith Pelley has been conducting staff interviews over the last several days, if not weeks. I suspect that there was communication between Treliving and Keith Pelley to talk about what the outcome of this year might be. Was there a discussion where Treliving simply said, ‘Look, if you’re going to do this, let’s get this done sooner rather than later.” We can’t be sure of that.

We know that Keith Pelley is going to address the media on Tuesday, but what I can tell you is that Keith Pelley has been and will be heavily involved in hockey operations. It was challenging at times, but Jen, as I said, Brad Treliving thought he could fix it and make the Maple Leafs better next year. But senior management and ownership obviously don’t feel the same way.”

Who could replace Brad Treliving?

Hedger: “Well, general manager of the Toronto Maple Leafs will be a coveted job. Is there someone that comes to mind to replace Treliving?”

Dreger: “It is a big job, arguably the biggest GM job in the National Hockey League. And the man that comes to mind is again, someone who has made the rounds in the world of speculation. That’s Doug Armstrong with the St Louis Blues.

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And this one is challenging, because Armstrong has been with the St Louis Blues for a long, long time. He’s still under contract for St. Louis. And there are some who believe that, you know, he may not be allowed out of that contract for a couple of years. But that can play its way out. Obviously, Toronto would have to seek permission to get to Doug Armstrong.

I also remind, Jen, that you know, when Brad Treliving was hired, he was hired by Brendan Shanahan. So they were a two-headed monster, president of hockey operations and general manager of the Toronto Maple Leafs.

So if Doug Armstrong is the coveted candidate. Is he going to fill both those roles, president of hockey ops and GM? St. Louis going to let him out of his contract? But it is a difficult office to occupy, and Doug Armstrong’s name has been out there for a while.”

Is Craig Berube’s coaching position safe or will he be next?

Hedger: “Well, and now, of course, all eyes turn to the coach with the Toronto Maple Leafs. On pace to miss the playoffs for the first time now in the Austin Matthews era. Do you believe that more changes are on the way?”

Dreger: “Well, I wouldn’t say imminently, but I think if we’re talking about end of the season, it’s pretty obvious with some of the guys who are now available.

Bruce Cassidy, let go on Sunday by the Vegas Golden Knights. Peter DeBoer, another decorated NHL coach, has been available for quite some time.

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There has to be that level of conversation. And they’re now hiring a new general manager, so often that general manager wants to bring in his own people. But until Craig Berube is told otherwise, he’s going to continue to hold his spot on the bench, at least until the end of the year.”

Hedger: “Craig Berube is in year two of a four-year contract, which runs through the 2027-28 season.”

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