TORONTO (Dec. 22) — With the Maple Leafs, three days before Christmas, sitting but three points above last place in the National Hockey League standings, it is fair to wonder whether the battery of general manager Brad Treliving and coach Craig Berube can move the club forward. Each is hijacked by the nonsensical contracts awarded Auston Matthews and William Nylander, who have been embarrassingly silent in the month of December.

It was Treliving that held the proverbial gun to his own head by re-signing the duo to their current pacts, thoroughly relinquishing his ability to manage. Matthews has eight points this month; Nylander zero goals. The first of several lambs got sacrified earlier today when the Coach Killers saw to it that assistant Marc Savard was fired. Yes, grade–school children playing hockey on the street could perform more efficiently than the Leafs powerplay, of which he oversaw, yet the utter laziness and nonchalance of the “big gunners” could hardly be blamed on Savard, among the most creative passers during his NHL playing career with the Rangers, Calgary, Atlanta and Boston (seasons of 74, 69, 63 and 63 assists). I made it clear in my previous blog (https://bit.ly/4oXIta5) — by many lengths, the most widely read in the 14–year history of this website — that Matthews and Nylander lack the character and determination to drag the Leafs out of their season–long funk. As such, Berube will soon be replaced by Peter DeBoer. But, should Treliving possess the authority to change coaches? Or, should he also be shown the exit door? It’s unlikely Brad could have walked away from the regular–season superstars, given that Brendan Shanahan still presided over the hockey club and would have knighted Matthews and Nylander. But, to offer complete contractual control to players that routinely wither and vanish when the stakes increase was nothing shy of insane. And, that falls on Treliving. Without question — and as resolutely shown again this month — Matthews couldn’t lead a starving man to the dinner table. Nylander, who stays to the perimeter at the best of times, has lost his willingness to skate and fire the puck. Both men are stealing money from Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment. And, therefore, from the long–tortured fan base. It’s been disgraceful… and brutal to watch.

Without question, this season’s lack of accomplishment by the Maple Leafs has resulted from the apathy of their best players. At no point since I’ve been watching the club — and this includes the rot of the 1980’s under Harold Ballard — has a duo so grossly abdicated responsibility. Matthews and Nylander profess to be confused, yet neither will look to where the answer resides: in the mirror. Without a trace of leadership or clutch performance from the big–money boys, others have fallen in line. Matthew Knies, touted by the adoring Toronto media as the next Gordie Howe, has one goal in December. The aging and willing John Tavares has two. Matthews has five, but refused to even marginally compete in recent losses to Edmonton and Washington. The captain hasn’t shown his face in weeks and should feel utterly humiliated. Even amid his hardwired, career–long indifference. So, of course coaches need to be sacrificed when complacency sets in among “franchise superstars” that cannot be touched.

Trades aren’t abundant in the salary cap era and those that are made must be evaluated in hindsight. No person watching the Maple Leafs can possibly understand why Treliving offloaded first–round draft picks in deadline deals for Scott Laughton and Brandon Carlo. If the Leafs actually felt they were a couple of depth additions removed from challenging for the Stanley Cup, they received quite a comeuppance in Games 5 and 7 of the Florida series.

In fact, the Maple Leafs are three impact players removed from such a level, given that Matthews, Nylander and Morgan Rielly have been complete non–factors in the first half of the season. After every no–show, Matthews talks about the “process” and the “positives” to be derived from lopsided defeats. There isn’t a trace of  comprehension in his DNA. Nylander tries to keep things light and has a delightful personality. But, he also refuses to break a sweat. So, honestly, what could any coach accomplish when saddled with floaters at the apex of the roster?

And, remember, this is nothing new, even if exaggerated through the first half of the schedule. Shanahan, Kyle Dubas and Treliving were all savvy enough to spot players with whom they could not seriously challenge. Yet, through obstinacy and blind hope, they kept returning to the same empty well. Nothing has changed under the stewardship of MLSE president Keith Pelley. The situation has only deteriorated. All involved are in a deep state of paralysis, save for today’s ritual sacrifice of Marc Savard. One gets the feeling that a major detonation of the front office is on the horizon. Unless ownership possesses the same torpor and disregard as Matthews and Nylander.

Which would likely surprise not a soul.

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