Elliotte Friedman makes firm call on Craig Berube, Brad Treliving’s future after Leafs axe Savard

Elliotte Friedman gave more clarity on the Toronto Maple Leafs' front office, amid rising pressure on the franchise. The Leafs fired assistant coach Marc Savard on Monday after their power-play struggles this season. Toronto’s power play ranks last in the league at 13.3 percent.

In his Sportsnet column on Tuesday, Friedman talked about Berube and Treliving.

"GM Brad Treliving and head coach Craig Berube are not on the firing line," Friedman wrote.

Friedman noted that Berube supported Savard despite the issues. Still, the team felt a change was needed. Then Friedman doubled down on his statement, saying,

"That’s where the changes stop for now, with Treliving and Berube not in similar danger."

Berube was hired in May 2024, after Sheldon Keefe was fired. In his first season, Toronto won the Atlantic Division, but its playoff run ended in the second round against the Florida Panthers. Toronto has failed to go beyond the second round, a drought of over two decades.

Treliving became general manager on May 31, 2023, replacing Kyle Dubas. He took over a skilled roster that faced pressure right away. After the 2024 playoff exit, he had to fire Keefe, and then in the 2025 playoff exit, Mitch Marner was traded to the Vegas Golden Knights.

This season has added more pressure, as the Maple Leafs sit at 15-15-5 and eighth in the Atlantic Division. Consistency has been missing, and the offense scores just over three goals per game. Team's star scorer Auston Matthews is limited to just 14 goals this season, which is 16 goals less than the league leader, Nathan MacKinnon.

Auston Matthews' comments on the Maple Leafs after loss to Dallas

The Toronto Maple Leafs lost 5-1 to the Dallas Stars on Sunday, their third straight loss. This was their fifth loss in their last six games. Captain Matthews said his team had chances but must keep pushing through results.

"Definitely thought we deserved better, but that’s kind of the way it’s going right now," Matthews said. "We just have to continue to grind through it."

Jason Robertson scored first late in the opening period. Dallas made it 2-0 early in the third, with Sam Steel's goal. Toronto responded minutes later with Scott Laughton cutting the lead to one.

The Stars answered again at 12:10 as Jamie Benn scored to make it 3-1. Mavrik Bourque added an empty-net goal late, and Justin Hryckowian scored on a rebound to close it out.

Wayne Gretzky’s wife Janet responds to critics questioning his loyalty to Canada, Bobby Orr's support following 4 Nations drama

Edited by Ankit Kumar