GM says Toronto won’t “trade its way out of problems”; faith in Craig Berube unchanged as Leafs skid hits five ahead of Blues tilt
By NetNewsLedger Staff
Category: National Sports
TORONTO — Hit the brakes on the blockbuster talk. Maple Leafs GM Brad Treliving made it clear Tuesday there’s no quick fix coming from outside to snap Toronto out of its early-season funk.
“I fully believe in Craig Berube and the messaging,” Treliving said, pushing back on the reflex to scapegoat the bench boss. “Craig didn’t become a bad coach overnight. The easy thing is to pick off the coach. The important thing is not to point fingers but to dig in together.”
Translation: the answers have to come from inside the room—and the front office is holding itself to that standard, too.
The State of the Leafs
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Record: 8–9–2, sliding into a five-game skid (0-4-1).
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Tonight: Hosting the St. Louis Blues at Scotiabank Arena.
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Vibe check: Treliving called it “vanilla,” and he wants the group’s enthusiasm back.
“I don’t question the effort most nights,” he said, “but there’s been inconsistencies. When you go through tough stretches, guys get tight. We’ve got to play freer—back to our north–south identity.”
Berube echoed the theme: “We all want effort. There were times it was lacking, but lately it’s trending right.”
Forward Max Domi put a finer point on it: “It’s execution and confidence. Stay connected, trust the process, do the extra reps—practice, video, details.”
No Magic Wand, No Mass Exodus
“You’re always looking to get better,” Treliving said, “but you don’t wake up and ship out five guys. You’re not trading your way out of problems. This is the group. Our job is to maximize it.”
Lineup Health
The club has battled injuries—Auston Matthews (lower body) skated Tuesday but isn’t ready. Treliving refused to lean on health as a crutch: “No excuses. Everyone has injuries. It’s on us to get this back on track.”
Bottom Line
Belief in the coach? Unshaken. Roster overhauls? Not the plan. The message from the top: tighten the details, play with pace, and find that swagger again—from within.
