Today in a new interview Toronto Maple Leafs GM Brad Treliving confirmed to the media the reason why he still has not broken up the core four like many expected.
After losing in the first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs to the Boston Bruins fans were calling for major changes to the Toronto Maple Leafs. Many wanted at least one if not multiple of John Tavares, Mitch Marner, William Nylander, or Auston Matthews traded. Now of course no fan wanted Auston Matthews to be gone but the fans were craving change.
Instead of trading one of these pieces, Brad Treliving shook things up in other ways. First, he fired Sheldon Keefe despite the former head coach leading the Maple Leafs to a 46-win season which was preceded by 50 and 54 wins in the two previous years.
Sheldon Keefe has been relieved of his role as head coach. The organization will immediately begin the search for a new head coach.
— Toronto Maple Leafs (@MapleLeafs) May 9, 2024
Then during the final moments of the NHL Draft Brad Treliving and the Maple Leafs traded for defenseman Chris Tanev. They also would eventually sign him to an extension.
TRADE
Toronto Maple Leafs acquire:#LeafsForever
• D Chris TanevDallas Stars acquire:#TexasHockey
• F Max Ellis
• 2026 7th-Round Draft Pick— The NHL Tracker (@thenhltracker) June 29, 2024
Since that trade, the Toronto Maple Leafs have not made any big moves with their roster. This means each of the core four John Tavares, Mitch Marner, William Nylander, and Auston Matthews are all still on the roster. This decision has left fans frustrated and confused but now Brad Treliving has explained himself.
Brad Treliving speaks about the core four heading into the 2024-25 season
In a new interview with TSN 1050’s OverDrive Brad Treliving addressed the lack of moves involving the core four. According to Brad Treliving, they have not found a trade involving a core four player that would make them better for next season.
“I know sometimes people fall in love with let’s make a big change just to make a big change. At the end of the day, you can go out and make big changes, but if they’re not making your team better, to me it doesn’t make any sense.”
When Brad Treliving explains his actions like this it does make sense at least from a straight-up production standpoint. During the 2023-24 season, each member of the core four had at least 65 points with John Tavares being the low man on the totem pole. After John Tavares, the point production jumped to 85 points for Mitch Marner.
Many fans who wanted a trade involving the core four were hoping to see Mitch Marner sent away. However, finding a player that provides an 85-plus point value in a trade is nearly impossible. However, Brad Treliving also did not close the door on moves being made before the season if one does end up presenting itself.
“The job is ‘how do you make your team better?… We’re not set yet. We continue to look at ways to make our team better and I said at the end of the year, we’re going to look at everything.”
Treliving on his belief in the ‘core four’, the responsibilities that come with being Leafs captain and Tavares’ role in the decision to switch captains#LeafsForever https://t.co/sdC3gamBuS
— OverDrive (@OverDrive1050) August 14, 2024
With the NHL season rapidly approaching, Brad Treliving and the Toronto Maple Leafs are running out of time to make an opening night roster move. More than likely the team is set for the start of the season. Once the season is underway the performance of each of the core four could set the stage for an active trade deadline from the Maple Leafs.
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