Leafs’ Pelley: ‘We will not tank’ to close out season
TORONTO – While there are many uncertainties regarding the Toronto Maple Leafs this season, there’s one thing they know for sure – they won’t be tanking this season.
Leafs’ president and CEO Keith Pelley spoke with the media on Tuesday the day after firing general manager Brad Treliving, and was very adamant the Leafs would not be tanking to get a higher first-round draft pick – or in their case, any first-round draft pick.
“There is zero chance that the Toronto Maple Leafs will tank. I don’t believe in it. Ownership doesn’t believe in it. I grew up in an environment when you played sports, you tried to win every single game,” Pelley said. “In the last seven games, we’ll try to win every single game.”
With a 32-30-13 record, the Leafs currently find themselves with the third-worst record in the Eastern Conference and 11th-worst in the league, and are 11 points out of the final Wild Card spot in the East.
They also find themselves in an interesting situation with regards to their 2026 first-round pick, as it is currently in possession of the Boston Bruins. It is protected, so if the pick were to end up in the top five of the draft order, Toronto would retain the pick, with Boston getting either the 2027 or 2028 first-round pick, and the Philadelphia Flyers getting the other.
As a result, many Leafs fans are rooting for losses in hopes the Leafs can retain the pick this season when they will likely be at their worst, and then hope that 2027 and 2028 are better seasons, and in turn, worse picks for the Bruins and Flyers to get.
Additionally, Pelley spoke on what the plan for replacing Treliving will look like, which is largely uncertain as the team is only beginning the process of hiring a new general manager. While the Leafs had gone without a president of hockey operations for the season, Pelley didn’t rule out the possibility of hiring a new president in addition to a general manager.
As for the direction the team is hoping to go in, Pelley emphasized the importance of hiring a general manager who was “data driven” and was willing to make decisions backed up by research. Pelley also said he wants them to be surrounding by hockey minds with a hockey background, another hint that hiring a president and GM may be the route they pursue.
As for head coach Craig Berube, who is also on the hot seat for the Leafs’ performance, Pelley said that his status will be up to who they hire in Treliving’s place, and he will remain with the team for now. Berube is in his second season with the team, and after winning the Atlantic Division and winning a playoff series against the Ottawa Senators in the 2024-25 season, he’s found himself with plenty of critics for the Leafs’ play this season.