Toronto Maple Leafs GM Brad Treliving has had a mixed response to his first few months with the team.
Not only is some of his early work with the Toronto Maple Leafs questionable, but Treliving has a history of being a decent but flawed GM, and he’s had many moves in his career not work out well.
This has continued into his new role as GM of the Toronto Maple Leafs, as he has made some solid moves and even some moves people would consider to be very good.
He has also made some awful moves, most notably giving David Kampf $2.4 million over 4 years, and giving Ryan Reaves a 3-year contract, thus taking up way too much cap space for two guys who are easily replaceable.
There is one thing, however, that Brad Treliving has done a good job at so far with the Leafs, and for the most part, he’s been very consistent with it.
Toronto Maple Leafs: One KeyThing Brad Treliving Has Done Well
Brad Treliving has done a great job of giving players 1-year contracts.
With the exception of a few (such as the players noted above), Treliving has given almost every new Toronto Maple Leafs player a one-year contract, which for players who have hit UFA status, it is almost the perfect term.
The Leafs signed the likes of Max Domi, Tyler Bertuzzi, and John Klingberg (among others), all of whom are quality NHLers, all to 1-year contracts, and this is much better than locking them up long-term.
For example, let’s take a look at Tyler Bertuzzi’s contract. Bertuzzi signed a 1-year, $5.5 million deal with the Leafs earlier this summer.
Now, let’s say he signed for the same price, but for 6 years instead of just 1. This means Bertuzzi, who is currently 28, would be signed until he’s in his mid-30s at a pretty heavy price tag.
A 1-year deal gives the Leafs so much more flexibility. They are almost guaranteed one good year from Bertuzzi, who is still in his prime, and even if he doesn’t work out, Treliving can let him walk next offseason.
Another important thing to note is next offseason, which is when Auston Matthews and William Nylander will need new deals. All these 1-year deals will obviously expire by then, thus clearing up necessary cap space to fit both Matthews and Nylander under the cap when their new extensions kick in.
Say what you want about Treliving, as I will admit, he has done some pretty boneheaded things so far, but his ability to sign players to short contracts is to be admired.
Let’s see how he does from here on out, and hopefully, he gets those extensions signed.