Leafs GM Brad Treliving makes his stance clear on HC Craig Berube after heavy backlash

Toronto Maple Leafs head coach Craig Berube has borne the brunt of backlash amid the team’s disappointing start. However, that hasn’t stopped Leafs GM Brad Treliving from supporting his coach.

Treliving came to Craig Berube’s defense on Tuesday, refusing to throw his coach under the bus. The GM made his stance clear on Toronto’s coach, declaring:

“Craig didn’t become a bad coach overnight, when you go through difficult times the easy thing is to pick off the coach.”

The comments, as quoted by Sportsnet’s Anna Dua, underscore how the Leafs’ brass maintains its support for the second-year coach.

Brad Treliving added:

“The important thing is to not point fingers and dig in together… I have all the faith in the world in him.”

The prevailing wisdom is that the Maple Leafs are headed for a massive shake-up. But judging from Brad Treliving’s words, that shake-up won’t come behind the bench. Craig Berube has earned the team’s trust for the time being.

Brad Treliving looking to shake up team with Craig Berube behind the bench

Insider Elliotte Friedman was the first to break news of an impending shake-up in Toronto. The notable insider first mentioned the potential for major changes during the November 15 edition of Saturday Headlines.

He then followed up his comments in the latest edition of the 32 Thoughts Podcast. In that episode, Friedman expounded on the “roster-for-roster” changes that seem forthcoming. In other words, Brad Treliving is not looking to fire Craig Berube. The team is instead looking at what players could bring in useful pieces for the club.

The aim, it seems, is to retool on the fly. The Maple Leafs’ management is not looking to punt on the season. The idea is to swap out pieces as the club looks to turn things around before it’s too late.

Given the clout both Treliving and Berube have in the organization, the changes could align more with the vision they share for the team. As to who the team might trade, that is unclear at the moment. As Friedman noted, the team is looking to determine the value of its current players and move from there.

The next few weeks will be critical for the Maple Leafs. Unless the team can suddenly right the ship, big moves could be on the horizon.

The Maple Leafs head into Tuesday night’s action tied for last place in the Atlantic Division with the Buffalo Sabres.