Treliving Prioritizes Playoff Readiness Over Division Title for Maple Leafs
Winning the Atlantic Division would be a nice achievement, but it’s not the primary focus for Toronto Maple Leafs general manager Brad Treliving—or for his players.
Speaking with Gino Reda of TSN during the NHL GMs meetings in Florida on Tuesday, Treliving emphasized that securing the highest possible finish is important, but fixating on matchups isn’t productive.
“We want to finish as high as we can,” Treliving said. “Trying to pick opponents at this stage doesn’t make sense—every team is going to be a tough challenge. Our priority is just getting ourselves there first.”
“No matter where you finish, you’re facing a strong team in the first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs,” he added. “What matters most is making sure we’re playing our best hockey when it counts.”
The Leafs and Tampa Bay Lightning are currently tied with 83 points, trailing the division-leading Florida Panthers by two. Toronto and Tampa each have 15 games remaining in the regular season, while Florida has 14.
Treliving Praises Matthews and Marner
Treliving also spoke about two of the Leafs’ top stars, Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner.
Reflecting on Matthews’ standout performance in Toronto’s 6-2 win over Calgary on Monday, Treliving credited him for setting the tone.
“He set the standard for our group,” Treliving said. “It was only a matter of time before he scored two goals. But what stood out more than the goals was Auston’s overall game—he’s been leading us defensively as well.”
As for Marner’s contract situation, Treliving remained tight-lipped.
“We’re focused on what’s happening on the ice,” he said. “If there are any business updates, we’ll share them. Mitch has had a fantastic season and is a crucial part of our team. He’ll play a key role in these final (15) games and beyond—that’s where our attention is.”
