Maple Leafs GM warns players with ‘end of the season’ message

Mar 8, 2026 - 00:00

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Maple Leafs GM warns players with ‘end of the season’ message

The Toronto Maple Leafs face increasing pressure after a difficult stretch in the 2025-26 NHL season.

Toronto has fallen into a six-game losing streak since the Olympic break. The slide began with a 4–2 loss to the Tampa Bay Lightning and continued with defeats against the Florida, Ottawa, Philadelphia, New Jersey, and the NY Rangers. The latest result, a 6–2 loss to the Rangers, deepened the team’s struggles in the playoff race.

General manager Brad Treliving recently addressed the team’s struggles and warned that major evaluations will come once the season ends.

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Treliving acknowledged the disappointing season and took responsibility for the team’s current situation.

“I think there’s a whole host of reasons,” Treliving said. “I’ll take responsibility… the failures here start with me. Once we get through the end of the season there will be all sorts of evaluation. There’s a lot.”

The Maple Leafs now hold a 27-25-11 record and sit seventh in the Atlantic Division with 65 points. With the postseason approaching, the team remains outside the playoff spots in one of the NHL’s toughest divisions.

The general manager pointed to several issues that contributed to the team’s struggles this season.

“We got off to a poor start,” Treliving said. “I look from my standpoint, some roster construction issues, lack of consistency, the inability to maintain any kind of level. There’s been a whole bunch of factors.”

"The failures here start with me."

Brad Treliving on the Leafs' disappointing season. pic.twitter.com/fslrTBHTE3— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) March 6, 2026

Toronto became the seller near the 2026 trade deadline

Toronto also made a major shift at the 2026 NHL trade deadline. For the first time in nearly a decade, the Maple Leafs acted as sellers rather than buyers.

The team traded Nicolas Roy to the Colorado Avalanche, Bobby McMann to the Seattle Kraken, and Scott Laughton to the Los Angeles Kings. In return, Toronto received several draft picks.

The moves signaled a change in direction for the organization. However, Treliving delayed the explaination saying, “Today isn’t the autopsy day.”

Toronto Maple Leafs forward Bobby McMann (74) celebrates with teammates after scoring a goal against the Los Angeles Kings in the first period at Scotiabank Arena. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-Imagn Images

Toronto’s offense was good this season, but defensive struggles held them back. The team allows 3.46 goals per game, not at all enough to compete in the Atlantic.

With the regular season heading toward mid-March, Treliving’s message made one point clear. A full evaluation is coming once the season ends.