NHL Rumors: Insider urges Maple Leafs to 'move on' from $60 star with Berube, Treliving staying put

Toronto Maple Leafs are not planning for any other front-office changes this season. Management and coaching are expected to stay in place, following Marc Savard's firing. Sportsnet insider Elliotte Friedman reported before Christmas that neither role is under threat.

In his Sportsnet column, he wrote about general manager Brad Treliving and head coach Craig Berube's futures.

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

With that settled, focus is on the roster because the Leafs are struggling, and a change is necessary. Leafs Nation writer Jeremy Tingly suggested Toronto should consider trading veteran defenseman Morgan Rielly.

"This is a hockey team in desperate need of significant change, and it starts by approaching veteran defenceman Morgan Rielly about the next chapter of his career," Tingly wrote. "...Rielly is the one core piece who needs to be dealt, and getting him on board could be the hardest part."

On the ice, Rielly’s 2025–26 season looks strong, with five goals and 19 assists through 35 games. He averages close to 22 minutes per night, yet defensive lapses are visible during losses.

Tingly noted that Rielly’s skating remains strong. However, he pointed to declining decisions with the puck. First passes and reads have become inconsistent, and these issues appear regularly during games.

"[These are] two things that stand out on a nightly basis, and Treliving should realize it’s time for an uncomfortable conversation with the longest serving Maple Leaf," Tingly said.

Rielly is in his 13th season with the Maple Leafs since the team drafted him fifth overall in 2012. He is signed to an eight-year, $60 million contract, through the 2029–30 season.

Berube's message after Maple Leafs' win against Penguins

Maple Leafs earned a 6-3 win over the Pittsburgh Penguins before Christmas. William Nylander scored two goals and two assists (breaking his 11-game drought in which he had no goals ), and Joseph Woll made 29 saves in net.

Speaking to the media after the game, head coach Craig Berube said (via NHL.com),

"We scored tonight. That’s the difference. We scored goals tonight. It was good to see Willy do what he did tonight and other guys... is a boost. You’re going to have a better Christmas, I guess, if you like Christmas.”

Meanwhile, the Maple Leafs hold a 16-15-5 record, sitting near the bottom of the Atlantic Division and Eastern Conference. Their offense is reliable, scoring 3.19 goals per game, but defensive lapses and porous net keep their allowed goals at 3.33. Not a good sign for the Stanley Cup aspirations.

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Edited by Ankit Kumar