Maple Leafs GM Treliving says he supports coach Berube ‘fully’ amid struggles

With his team sitting last place in the Eastern Conference, Toronto Maple Leafs general manager Brad Treliving confirmed on Tuesday his support for veteran head coach Craig Berube has not wavered.

“I want to make it clear. I support Craig fully,” Treliving told the media ahead of a matinee against the visiting Pittsburgh Penguins.

The Maple Leafs dropped all three games on their recent road trip and hold a 15-15-5 record on the season, a full three points behind the lowly Buffalo Sabres.

The season-long struggles led to the firing of assistant coach Mark Savard on Monday.

Savard, 48, was hired by the club on June 23, 2024.

He was in charge of the Leafs’ league-worst power play, which has converted at 13.3 per cent and has allowed four short-handed goals this season.

Treliving announced Tuesday that assistant Derek Lalonde will lead the power play responsibilities against the Penguins and will reassess over the holiday break how to move forward.

With the trade deadline set for March 7, Treliving said he’s not putting up the “white flag” on the season and will look to add to the team if possible rather than sell assets.

The 60-year-old Berube, who led the St. Louis Blues to their first Stanley Cup in 2019, replaced former Leafs bench boss Sheldon Keefe ahead of the 2024-25 season.

Toronto finished first in the Atlantic Division with 52 wins and were a win away from advancing to the Eastern Conference Final, but were hammered by the defending champion Florida Panthers, 6-1, on home ice in Game 7.

Following their game against Pittsburgh, the Leafs are off for Christmas and return to action Saturday against the visiting Ottawa Senators.