Toronto Maple Leafs general manager Brad Treliving isn’t hiding from the fact that his roster still has a question mark in the top six, specifically, the spot alongside Auston Matthews and Matthew Knies on the top line.
As the Leafs continue to work through options in training camp, head coach Craig Berube has made it clear that he will try different players in that spot. With Max Domi sidelined at the start of the camp, Matias Maccelli got a chance to audition playing on the top line against the Ottawa Senators on Tuesday.
During an appearance on The Kyper and Bourne Show, Treliving was asked about how he plans to approach potential additions. The Leafs’ general manager emphasized patience and flexibility rather than rushing into an external move.
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“Step one right now is seeing what we have in camp,” Treliving told hosts Nick Kypreos and Justin Bourne. “I know everybody’s focused on that one spot, and certainly we are, but you don’t know where chemistry is going to come from. You can put it on paper, but until you get on the ice and see who fits with who, you don’t know.”
Beyond offensive production, Treliving also stressed that the right complement for Matthews and Knies may bring a different set of skills to that spot, much like Mitch Marner did before his departure in the off-season.
“Sometimes it needs a little bit of different ingredients — whether it’s a defensive presence, someone who can forecheck, create loose pucks, create space,” Treliving explained. “It’s easy to say, ‘Let’s go get a top-six forward.’ Well, who is that? And what is the cost?”
While the Leafs do have cap space to work with, they also have a lot of forwards signed. If they do want to look to the trade market, they will have to get creative, considering their depleted stock of draft picks. Toronto does not have a first-round pick to offer until 2028 and only has three selections in 2026.
That balance between internal solutions and external options is central to Toronto’s approach. Treliving also made it clear the Leafs will continue to evaluate both avenues as the season approaches.
“We’re going to continue to look internally while also continuing to look outside and see if there’s an availability for somebody that can come in and help us,” he said.
Treliving expects bounce-back year from Rielly
When it comes to improving on the ice, Treliving pointed to Morgan Rielly as a player the Leafs need at his very best this season.
At the start of training camp, Treliving said that he had a conversation with the 31-year-old about getting the best out of him right from the beginning of the season.
“What we need is the best version of Morgan,” Treliving said. “There was a fire to him this summer. He really put a lot of work into his preparation, and I don’t remember many days that Morgan wasn’t at the facility.”
He noted that the defender lost weight during the off-season, which spoke to his commitment to being in better shape to start the season.
Injuries were not a problem for Rielly last season as he played in all 82 games. However, he had a noticeable drop in production, scoring just seven goals and 41 points. He also saw himself taken off his usual spot as the PP1 quarterback.
Treliving believes that the depth allows the team to get more out of all its players.
“It doesn’t just stop at Morgan. You know, I like our blue line,” Treliving said. “We start the year now with Carlo, who came here last year. There is depth there, it’s an experienced group, and you’ve got some guys pushing from underneath. At the end of the day, to be a good organization, you need that at all positions, you need people pushing, and we certainly have that.”
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What are the Leafs’ options during Joseph Woll’s absence?
The Leafs’ goaltending picture has also been complicated by the absence of Joseph Woll.
The 27-year-old is taking a leave of absence from the team to attend to a personal family matter with no timeline for his return.
Treliving made it clear that the team is giving him time and space.
“For right now, Joe’s not available to us. We’re there to support him and do everything we can, and we certainly expect him back,” Treliving said. “At this point, we don’t know when that is. So, like anything, an opportunity now presents itself for somebody else.”
That “somebody else” could be Dennis Hildeby, who Treliving said is entering a crucial moment in his development.
“This was kind of his time for me,” the Leafs general manager said. “He’s had two years now over in North America, he’s shown at times he can be spectacular in the American Hockey League, and he’s had a really good camp thus far.”
While Woll’s absence creates uncertainty, Treliving stressed that the organization will continue to monitor the market for options at every position.
“You’re always looking at ways to get better,” he said. “Whether a player was taking a leave or not, we’re constantly asking if there’s another option that can best support us.”
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