What’s next? That’s up to Treliving
GM could react to post-season exit by firing coach, trading Marner or naming new captain
Now what?
That’s eight straight seasons of Auston Matthews, Mitch Marner, William Nylander and Morgan Rielly failing to go deep in the playoffs with the Maple Leafs. Six — five as captain — for John Tavares.
Despite their offensive talents, the Leafs have played 13 of their last 14 post-season games scoring two or fewer goals. This year, that was by design, with coach Sheldon Keefe getting them to commit to playing defence, to checking hard.
In a series with very little breathing room, it came down to a defensive-zone breakdown in overtime that allowed Boston’s David Pastrnak to become the series-winning hero.
The Leafs patted each other on the back for battling back from a 3-1 series deficit. Keefe praised their commitment, noted how they came together as a group even as he acknowledged whatever message he sent to the fans after another Game 7 loss would likely be ignored.
Barring moves at the very top — new CEO Keith Pelley started last month — the next move is up to general manager Brad Treliving.
Cast into the role less than a year ago in an off-season of turmoil in the front office, Treliving has a better understanding of the team now than he did when he took over.
There’s a lot for him to consider. Injuries were a factor, with Nylander missing three games in the first round, Matthews missing two, Bobby McMann out the whole series and Joseph Woll missing Game 7.
Treliving has to take into account how top heavy the Atlantic Division is. It has sent six representatives to the Stanley Cup final over the past five seasons: Boston in 2019, Tampa Bay in 2020, Tampa and Montreal in 2021 (though in a different divisional format), Tampa again in 2022 and Florida in 2023.
The Leafs, of course, are not on that list. It’s Treliving’s job to get them there.
Here are some of the questions he faces.
Fire the coach?
Keefe’s two-year extension hasn’t even kicked in yet, but it’s the easiest move to make, to bring in a new voice. There’s no evidence that Treliving is upset with Keefe. They were on the same page all season, and Keefe fully embraced Treliving’s idea of a bigger defence corps as well as a team commitment to defence.
But there are other coaches who might find a way to demand more out of the team, some with Stanley Cup rings to their credit, like Craig Berube or Claude Julien or even Darryl Sutter. If Treliving thought there was a way to pry Rod Brind’Amour away from Carolina — where he remains without a contract — perhaps he would give that a try. Gerard Gallant hasn’t won the Cup, but he’s gotten to the final.
Trade Mitch Marner?
This would be up to Marner, who has a full no-movement clause in his contract. But Marner may feel he’s not the best fit in Toronto. He takes criticism personally, and there’s a lot of it in Toronto. And there was some sniping in the playoffs among the core players that suggested all may not be well. Marner, Matthews and Nylander were spotted visibly frustrated with each other in Game 4, though they all said that was related to a single play and said not to put too much stock in it.
Still, Marner may feel better going to a sunshine state where he can be the best player and live in relative anonymity.
Given he is eligible to sign an extension this summer, a sign-andtrade could well be in the works. Marner would be coveted by any team. Lightning coach Jon Cooper has long sung his praises and Tampa might be willing to part with defenceman Mikhail Sergachev. The new team in Utah could probably use a player like Marner.
Even if the Leafs didn’t get a stud player back, the cap space could be invaluable to draw better players to support the remaining core players.
Change captains?
Tavares, too, is eligible for an extension on July 1. It would surprise no one if the Leafs let him play the season out — like Tampa did with Steve Stamkos — before committing any more dollars and seasons to him.
He has been a good leader and has lived up — at least in the regular season — to his contract. But if the team lacks passion maybe it’s because Tavares doesn’t convey emotion. He’s not a rah-rah guy. They have a couple waiting in the wings, notably Rielly and Matthews, who would be far more forthright in their thoughts.
Perhaps there’s a deal where Tavares could get some career-ending security in exchange for passing on the C.
Get a goalie?
For too many playoffs, the Leafs had the second-best goalie in the series. The Leafs have faced a steady stream of Vezina winners, Jennings winners, even Conn Smythe and Hart Trophy winners in the other net.
Joseph Woll looks like he could be that guy, one day. But he has to stay healthy. And that is an issue. Ilya Samsonov has his moments, but really fails to make the big save when needed.
Flames goalie Jacob Markstrom could be available on the trade market this summer, a goalie Treliving knows very well.
Beef up the defence?
Leafs fans loved the vim and vigour Simon Benoit brought to the team. And it was a joy to watch Joel Edmundson pummel Bruins like Pastrnak and Brad Marchand. Ilya Lyubushkin was also a physical force.
Jake McCabe played some of his best hockey in blue and white. They’re all big guys. And size matters on defence. Nikita Zadorov of Vancouver and Chris Tanev of Dallas — again ex-Flames known well by Treliving — fit the bill on that front as pending unrestricted free agents.
Spend to the cap?
Give or take a big trade, Treliving has about $18 million (U.S.) in cap space with Tyler Bertuzzi, Max Domi, Edmundson, Lyubushkin, T.J. Brodie, Mark Giordano, Samsonov and Martin Jones all pending unrestricted free agents. Connor Dewar, Nick Robertson, Noah Gregor and Timothy Liljegren are restricted free agents. As well, the players whose salaries were buried on longterm injured reserve come off the books: Jake Muzzin, Matt Murray and John Klingberg.
Keep his picks?
The Leafs have six picks in the upcoming draft, including their firstrounder. They also have a fourthrounder, two in the fifth round and two in the seventh. The scouting department has done an excellent job of finding quality players in later rounds, with Matthew Knies (57th in 2021) and Nick Robertson (53rd in 2019) each having completed their first full regular season. Fraser Minten (38th in 2022) got a four-game taste this year and is captain of Saskatoon in the WHL playoffs while Easton Cowan (28th in 2023) was named top player in the OHL after a stellar year in London.