Maple Leafs GM Brad Treliving takes ‘full responsibility’ for Toronto’s disappointing season start

Toronto Maple Leafs general manager Brad Treliving spoke to the media on Tuesday. The Maple Leafs sit at 8-9-2 after the first 19 games of the new season. Their offense is good, but their defense has struggled, allowing 3.79 goals per game. The power play and penalty kill also need to improve, placing them 7th in the Atlantic Division.

Speaking about the Leafs' performance, He said the team has underperformed and that he takes full responsibility.

"As we sit here today, we're not where we want to be, or we're not where we envision being," Treliving said. "Obviously, we've underperformed to this point, and I take full responsibility.

"I'm in charge of the hockey department. I've put the people in place, on the ice and off the ice, so the responsibility lies with myself, and we start today and every day trying to get ourselves back up and going and improve where we are.

This slow start comes after a busy offseason for Treliving. The Maple Leafs added forwards Matias Maccelli, Dakota Joshua, Nicolas Roy, and Michael Pezzetta. They also added defenseman Henry Thrun in a trade. The biggest departure was Mitch Marner, who went to Vegas in a sign-and-trade deal. Several depth players and team president Brendan Shanahan also moved on.

However, Treliving said he will work with coach Craig Berube and the players to build better results.

"There are lots of areas that we need to improve upon, and my job is working with Craig and the coaching staff and our players to get us back going and playing to a level that I believe we're capable of playing," Treliving said. "And that's that. That was sort of the focus here the last couple of days, and as we go into tonight and beyond."

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Part of the reason behind Maple Leafs' slow start this season

The Leafs entered the season after a 52-26-4 record last year, and carrying the disappointment of another early playoff exit. However, part of the reason is that injuries have added more problems for the team.

Team captain Auston Matthews is placed on injured reserve after 17 games with a lower-body injury. He had 9 goals and 14 points this season. Defenseman Christopher Tanev has been injured twice, playing just 8 games, and is still on IR.

Goaltender Anthony Stolarz is out as well, leaving the last pillar of defense broken. So, the Maple Leafs' season is expected to improve if players get healthy.