Why Brad Treliving’s Most Criticized Decision Could Become Toronto’s Biggest October Success Story

Not just about what Brad Treliving didn’t manage to create, but also about his departure as general manager of the Toronto Maple Leafs, according to insiders Friday night.

 

 

It concerned what he might have left behind.

 

 

Nick Alberga, a source, stated on X on Friday that Ben Danford may be a Leaf in October. He included a fire emoji and gave Treliving the credit for the initial work.

 

From a GM who oversaw one of the worst seasons in recent franchise memory, that’s a notable parting gift.

 

 

With 78 points, Toronto finished 28th overall in the league with a record of 32-36-14.

 

 

This season, the Leafs gave up 299 goals, resulting in a -46 goal differential. The numbers don’t lie.

 

 

The next general manager inherits a roster based on $13 million salary cap limits and a -46 goal differential.

 

To cap off the season, the club also dropped seven straight games. seven. It’s not late-season rust. That is a structural problem that was not apparent in April.

 

 

Now, the real question is whether the new front office will respect anything Danford had planned with Treliving.

 

 

Front offices alter course. Possibilities are re-evaluated. Under one general manager, what appeared to be a priority doesn’t always last the switch.

 

 

On a squad that placed 28th overall, Auston Matthews has a $13,250,000 cap impact. At $11,500,000, William Nylander scored 79 points in 65 games.

 

Matthews scored 53 points in just 60 games. Every conversation about this roster’s true identity was made possible by that output from a $13.25 million facility.

 

 

That’s enormous star-level money on a team giving up 3.6 goals per game.

 

 

Joseph Woll posted an .898 save percentage in 39 appearances. The goaltending wasn’t the only problem, but it wasn’t exactly a wall either.

 

 

A 2-7-1 mark in the last 10 games of the season tells you this collapse wasn’t sudden. It was a slow bleed.

 

So now someone else gets handed the keys. The next GM inherits the star contracts, the defensive structure that gave up 299 goals, and an offseason with no obvious quick fix.

 

 

 

Danford may end up being the most intriguing footnote from Treliving’s tenure. But the Leafs need a full rebuild plan, not a footnote.