Changing the DNA on the Toronto Maple Leafs Team
On Monday morning, Toronto Maple Leafs GM Brad Treliving spoke to the media from the club’s player development camp.
Treliving spoke about the Toronto Maple Leafs getting some “snot” to their game with the additions of Max Domi and Tyler Bertuzzi.
He talked about speaking to Bertuzzi early in the process and that it appeared that the former Red Wing was looking for a longer term deal, however Treliving made it known that the club was looking for a shorter term deal.
The GM told Bertuzzi that if he comes back to a shorter deal to check in with them which led to the signed contract of one-year at $5.5 Million.
Changing the DNA on the Toronto Maple Leafs
The Toronto Maple Leafs now have a couple skilled players that aren’t afraid to go to the dirty spots of the ice
Treliving praised Bertuzzi’s ability to get to the net as well as the middle of the ice, which he believes will compliment the current players.
In regards to Domi, Treliving believes that second generation Maple Leaf is a more mature player and that we are likely to see the best of him. Treliving commented that being a Leaf was very important for Domi and that he has wanted it for a long time.
Treliving further commented on Domi’s position on the team and believes that he will be primarily a winger, but the team has the flexibility to play him at center.
The Toronto Maple Leafs general manager was asked about the three key signings that also included John Klingberg all receiving one-year deals and whether that was the players decisions. Treliving responded that he believes most players would like term, but the team needed to keep contracts shorter as they have other players they need to deal with (Matthews and Nylander).
The management is aware of the cap restraints that team now has, but Treliving stated that they have LTIR options and does not see it as a concern. He future joked that Brandon Pridham was locked in an office until he could figure out what to do from here.
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One thing the Toronto Maple Leafs have lacked during the Matthews era is having skilled players, with the exception of Michale Bunting, that aren’t afraid muck things up and they now have that
It remains to be seen just how this will help the team, as they’ve lost more talent than they have gained at this point, but it’s a long off-season and so far we don’t have a complete picture of what the team will look like in the future.