Photo credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports
According to an update from Elliotte Friedman, the Toronto Maple Leafs do not intend to fire either Craig Berube or Brad Treliving despite the team’s struggles.
With Marc Savard being let go on Monday, attention immediately turned to both Craig Berube and Brad Treliving. Both men are on the hot seat right now, and with the team mired in a three-game losing streak and getting no help from their stars; it’s a frustrating time in Toronto.
It would be proactive on MLSE CEO Keith Pelley’s part to perhaps assess what’s wrong with the team and act accordingly, but it’s easier said than done to clean house completely, especially two days before Christmas.
Berube and Treliving not going anywhere: Elliotte Friedman
But according to a new report from Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman, the team is sticking to their guns for the time being.
The Toronto Maple Leafs made a bench change Monday night – removing Marc Savard, who was in charge of the power play – and, according to multiple sources, the coaching/managerial changes stop there.
GM Brad Treliving and head coach Craig Berube are not on the firing line.
Pierre LeBrun mentioned on Monday as well that the Maple Leafs were going to be looking at internal options to replace Savard and that they are not looking to bring in anyone outside of the organization.
If the team is hesitant about bringing in someone from outside, then they are assuredly going to be sticking with things as long as possible before it gets potentially unsalvageable.
Toronto’s inaction could cause their eventual downfall
But it brings a lot more frustration to fans who are begging for real change. Steve Dangle’s reaction to the Savard firing was a complete teardown of Toronto’s inaction over recent years, and this latest report confirms their inability to make real changes.
He related it to needing a new pair of shoes but firing the laces. While a fun analogy, it does have a much deeper meaning. If the shoe doesn’t fit anymore, or if they are worn out past their prime; get a new pair.
Fans on social media seem to follow in Dangle’s footsteps, feeling that the team’s laissez-faire attitude is going to cost them:
Some are also wondering why Berube still has a job considering he held onto Savard for way too long:
Toronto’s trying to put lipstick on a pig right now with Savard’s firing, and standing pat with Berube and Treliving is only going to make things even more tense than they already are and not bring the change needed to become successful.
If you thought things couldn’t get worse — this is the Maple Leafs we’re talking about after all. And we’re in for a long season if they decide to stick to what hasn’t worked for the first two months.
Previously on Hockey Patrol