Brad Treliving’s Fate with the Leafs Sealed After Brendan Shanahan’s Stunning Departure
May 23, 2025 | Toronto, ON — by The Hockey Herald Staff Writer
In a shocking move that sent tremors through the NHL world, the Toronto Maple Leafs announced Thursday morning the dismissal of long-time team president Brendan Shanahan.
The decision, sources say, came directly from Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment (MLSE) leadership after a prolonged internal review of the team’s direction. But the aftershocks are already being felt — and none more than by general manager Brad Treliving, whose fate with the organization now appears sealed.
Treliving, hired by Shanahan in May 2023 after the exit of Kyle Dubas, was seen as a stabilizing force for the Maple Leafs front office. However, despite two seasons with the club, Toronto has failed to make it past the first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs — a familiar story for the long-suffering franchise and its fans. The absence of playoff success has only intensified calls for a reset at the executive level.
With Shanahan gone, insiders believe Treliving’s days are numbered. “Brad was very much Brendan’s guy,” said a team executive who spoke on condition of anonymity. “He doesn’t have the same support from the board or ownership that Shanahan did. It’s no secret that MLSE wants a full cultural overhaul.”
Sources close to the situation say that Treliving was informed late Wednesday night of Shanahan’s impending dismissal and was asked to attend a meeting early Thursday with MLSE CEO Keith Pelley.
According to those familiar with the meeting, Treliving was given a “courtesy window” to consider stepping down voluntarily before the organization makes further leadership changes in the coming weeks.
“He’s on borrowed time,” said another source. “Even if he isn’t gone tomorrow, it’s only a matter of when — not if.”
Treliving’s tenure has been marked by a number of high-profile moves, including re-signing Auston Matthews to a long-term extension and trading for defenseman Jakob Chychrun. But critics argue the team’s core remained fundamentally unchanged and ill-equipped for postseason battles. That hesitance to retool the roster has reportedly frustrated some MLSE board members.
Meanwhile, speculation is already swirling about potential successors. Among the names mentioned are former Vancouver Canucks GM Mike Gillis and current New Jersey Devils assistant GM Meghan Duggan, both considered progressive thinkers with modern hockey minds. Even former Leafs captain Mats Sundin has been floated as a potential executive advisor in a new-look front office.
For now, the Leafs have declined to comment on Treliving’s status, issuing a brief statement thanking Shanahan for “a decade of committed leadership” and promising fans “a bold new era of Leafs hockey.”
But behind the scenes, the wheels of change are spinning fast. With the NHL Draft and free agency just weeks away, the franchise faces a critical period — and it seems increasingly unlikely Brad Treliving will be at the helm when the next chapter begins.
As one source succinctly put it: “The Shanaplan is over — and so is Treliving’s time in Toronto.”