Maple Leafs Given Green Light to “Go For It” This Season

The Toronto Maple Leafs have officially been handed the green light to make a big push this season. With the president & CEO of Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment, Keith Pelley supporting the team’s push this season, General Manager Brad Treliving has been told this is a good season to take a big swing.

The organization is expected to take advantage of its window and make a real effort to spend assets and improve the team in whatever way is deemed necessary.

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Speaking on TSN Insider Trading, Pierre LeBrun shared insights from the recent Board of Governors meeting. “It’s go time,” LeBrun said, referring to the expectations set by Maple Leafs CEO Keith Pelley. “Look at the age of this team—they’re in the middle of their window. The bottom line is Brad Treliving has the full green light to take a swing between now and the March 6th trade deadline if he can.”

The Leafs’ urgency comes partly from the departure of Mitch Marner, which created both flexibility and a a chance to do something else. While Toronto’s salary cap situation and lack of first-round picks over the next two years complicate potential moves, the message from ownership is clear: pursue upgrades and go for it.

It’s unclear if Treliving has anything in his back pocket or is working on deals, but the way this report sounds, the organization is open to short-term additions. That could mean adding rentals, or pieces that shake loose as teams falter in January and February. Expect the Leafs to explore trade opportunities and for Treliving, who has been known as one of those GMs who is always working the phones, he’ll be even more active.

The Maple Leafs are ready to swing, and the question will be whether the swings they take are home runs or strikeouts.

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