Brad Treliving Talks Change, Marner’s Future, and Knies’ Contract in State-of-the-Team Address
Toronto, ON – As the Toronto Maple Leafs prepare for what could be a transformative offseason, general manager Brad Treliving addressed key issues facing the franchise during a media availability this week. Among the topics discussed were potential roster changes, the uncertain future of Mitch Marner, and the status of a new contract for emerging forward Matt Knies.
Treliving, who took over as GM last summer, acknowledged that change is necessary if the Leafs are to advance deeper into the playoffs. Despite boasting one of the NHL’s most talented rosters, the team once again fell short in the postseason, leading to increased pressure from fans and media alike.
“This is a results-driven business,” Treliving said. “We’re not here to just be good—we want to win. That means being honest with ourselves about where we are, what’s not working, and how we can get better.”
One of the focal points of the offseason conversation has been the future of star winger Mitch Marner. With one year left on his current deal, and a full no-movement clause in effect, speculation has swirled about whether Marner could be traded in order to shake up the Leafs’ core.
Treliving did not commit to a specific course of action but emphasized that no option is off the table.
“We value Mitch tremendously—he’s an elite player and a key part of our group,” said Treliving. “But when you don’t get the results you’re looking for, you have to explore all avenues. That’s the reality. We’ll continue to have internal discussions, and Mitch will be part of that process.”
Marner, 27, recorded 85 points in 76 games during the 2024–25 regular season but struggled to make a consistent impact during the playoffs, once again drawing criticism from a segment of the fanbase.
Meanwhile, Treliving expressed optimism about extending promising forward Matt Knies, who is entering the final year of his entry-level contract. Knies, 22, emerged as a valuable contributor on the wing and demonstrated poise beyond his years in both the regular season and playoffs.
“Matt is a big part of our future,” Treliving said. “He plays with a combination of size, skill, and grit that’s hard to find. We’ve had preliminary discussions with his camp and both sides are motivated to get something done. We’d love to get him locked in long-term.”
Treliving also hinted at further changes to the team’s depth and structure, noting that the Leafs must improve defensively and find more consistency in their bottom-six forward group. With veteran contracts coming off the books and cap flexibility potentially increasing, Toronto appears poised for a busy summer.
“Change is coming, but it has to be smart change,” he said. “We’re not going to make moves just to make noise. Our goal is to build a team that can compete in May and June—not just October and November.”
As the Leafs look to reshape their identity under Treliving’s guidance, all eyes will remain on Toronto to see whether bold words are followed by decisive actions.
