The Toronto Maple Leafs face a defining stretch after firing Brad Treliving, with one NHL analyst warning that a quick fix is unrealistic.

During a segment on “Jay on SC,” Jay Onrait asked TSN scouting director Craig Button what comes next for the franchise. Button did not hesitate, stating the Leafs must accept a longer rebuild path rather than chase immediate contention.

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“I think clearly a recognition of where you are,” Button said. “There is not an offseason that I see where this team could turn around and become a contending team.”

“They don’t have enough skill. They don’t have enough speed. They don’t have enough depth. Oh, and by the way, they don’t have difference-making prospects. They don’t have draft picks.”

MORE: Maple Leafs fired Brad Treliving early to avoid leaks, per Elliotte Friedman

Button pointed to a thin prospect pool and limited draft capital as major concerns. In contrast, he recalled the 2014 reset led by Brendan Shanahan, when the team built around young stars like Auston Matthews, Mitch Marner, and William Nylander.

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“They had Nazem Kadri, top 10 pick,” Button said. “They had Morgan Rielly, top 10 pick. They drafted William Nylander in 2014, top 10 pick. Mitch Marner, fourth overall in 2015. Auston Matthews in 2016, first overall.

“So you had this great group of young players that were going to help this team move forward. They had Hyman. They had some other really good players.”

This time, Button believes the foundation is missing. He warned that ignoring the situation could push the franchise into another prolonged downturn similar to its struggles in the 1980s.

“Mike Babcock used the term ‘There’s going to be a lot of pain, and you better be ready for pain.” The pain will become even greater if they don’t recognize that this is going to be a longer road back to contending status,” Button said.

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“Because if they don’t, Jay, it’s going to look like the 1980s, and nobody wants to remember the 1980s for the Toronto Maple Leafs. It was a dark period. It was awful. And to me, this is a team right now that’s going to need a number of years to move forward with respect to becoming a contender once again.”

MORE: Maple Leafs will face problems in pursuing No. 1 GM choice Doug Armstrong

Why did the Maple Leafs fire GM Brad Treliving?

The Maple Leafs dismissed Treliving on March 30 after a steep drop in performance. Team president Keith Pelley said the organization needed a new direction, citing issues with structure and culture. Assistant GMs took interim control as the search for a replacement began.

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Toronto’s decline has been sharp. After a 108-point season last year, the club slipped well out of playoff position. Injuries to Matthews, inconsistent goaltending, and roster gaps after Marner’s departure all played roles.

MORE: Craig Berube gets honest about his future after Maple Leafs fires GM

Toronto is facing a situation like Calgary Flames

Button also suggested the team must consider bold moves, including trading core players. Matthews holds control with two years left on his deal, while Nylander carries a no-move clause. Those factors complicate any rebuild strategy.

Drawing parallels to Treliving’s time with the Calgary Flames, Button noted how that team turned to draft picks and prospects after losing key players.

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“I also think that Keith Pelley had to look at Brad Treliving’s record in Calgary,” Buttons said.

“In 2022, they had a 50-win season, and then they spiraled right downward. Matthew Tkachuk wanted out. He was traded. Johnny Gaudreau left. And we now know where the Flames have found themselves. And I think that had some consideration for Keith Pelley with respect to this.”

Button believes Toronto now faces a similar reality, one that demands patience and major change.