Following a busy stretch over the course of the 2024 NHL Draft, many key Leafs figures met with the media to answer some questions. There is a lot of work yet to come as free agency looms, and a lot to recap since the Stanley Cup was awarded. Let’s take a look at what GM Brad Treliving, head coach Craig Berube, and director of amateur scouting Wes Clark had to say at their post-draft media availability.
Treliving’s comments
Naturally, the Leafs GM was broached on the broadest cross-section of topics, revealing some interesting information in the process. Included was a discussion of the draft process itself, how much he enjoys the event but also how the quick turnaround to free agency makes this time more chaotic. In the end, Treliving voted against an in-person draft next season, opting instead for a remote version of the event. Treliving even added that the Leafs would be operating their front office out of Vegas during this important free agency period to make best use of their limited and precious time. Among the chaos will be news on RFAs being qualified.
The biggest news concerning Treliving was the acquisition of Chris Tanev’s rights. Treliving signed Tanev as a UFA for the Calgary Flames, and clearly feels somewhat confident that the Leafs can get a deal done with Tanev once again. The acquisition cost was minimal, allowing the Leafs to “jump the line” for one of the best free agents on the market. There’s no guarantee that Tanev does sign, but his services would be among the most significant additions made in the Austin Matthews era, shoring up the Leafs longest standing need of a defensive right shot who can play top even strength minutes and lead a penalty kill.
Treliving spoke of Tanev being a culture setter, and showing that he is still among the best shutdown defenders in the league after a strong playoff performance with the Dallas Stars. Treliving acknowledged that Tanev’s age might raise some eyebrows, especially considering that his contract’s term is expected to be long for a physical 34-year-old. Tanev might well end a longer contract on LTIR, which can be navigated, and perhaps front-loading Tanev’s deal will make it even more so. Quite simply, adding Tanev could be the most significant move of the offseason and perhaps one of the best possible moves out there.
Treliving did touch on the draft, especially how the trades were navigated. Treliving stated how sold Wes Clark was on Danford as the target at 23rd overall, but felt that they might be able to trade down and still get their player. Perhaps this is an exaggerated truth, but it does bode well for how the Leafs handled their assets. Treliving added that getting a second-round pick for the 2025 draft was important, given their limited draft capital until 2026. This weekend showed us how liquid draft capital can be during the draft, so some conscientiousness of having future options is appreciated.
The final tidbit from Treliving was that the Leafs have been looking into the goaltending market. With Joseph Woll as the team’s lone viable NHL option, a move or two in net is a guarantee, but the Leafs queries here will include a multitude of plans to sort out the situation in goal.
As for Berube
Perhaps a bit of a surprise, new head coach Craig Berube was made available after the draft. Of course, it is good to get an update from the new bench boss as his tenure begins. Berube spoke a lot about his process for getting to know his players and his excitement in rejoining Leaf Nation, this time as a coach. To that effect he did state how he was hardly surprised by the photo of him and Mitch Marner speaking in a coffee shop that went viral causing discussion, but that it does not bother him. Berube has experienced the Toronto market firsthand and is ready to embrace the spotlight.
The most coaching-specific discussion came from the hiring of Marc Savard. Berube disclosed their history, both as teammates and as coaches. Savard was a creative playmaker and a force on the power play as a player, and was famously in charge of the St. Louis Blues Stanley Cup winning power play for Berube. It was hardly unexpected to see the two reunited, and Leafs fans will be hoping they can get more from the Leafs talent, especially into the spring.
Of note, the Blues top power play unit had Sammy Blais under the pair, clearly there for his ability to play a net front role more than his offensive talents outside of that spot. The Leafs had some players find success at the net front over the years, including John Tavares and William Nylander, but perhaps a more specific role player here might be a new wrinkle. Matthew Knies, for example, might be a fantastic net front option on the Leafs top power play next season.
Tanev drew some praise from Berube, who would clearly enjoy his services in the lineup. Tanev will be an important piece of Berube’s stated goal to establish a team identity. Berube has consistently mentioned that his doing so comes from the clear communication of his expectations through building enough of a relationship with them as individuals.
Director of amateur scouting Wes Clark
Most specific to the draft, Clark was able to shed some light on the Leafs movements and selections. Throughout his time as director of amateur scouting, Clark has consistently mentioned and reiterated some core beliefs. Most of all, Clark is happy to bring attention to the Leafs fantastic development staff and how important they are to paying off the hard work of his department.
Clark does seem to have core principles of what traits define a Leaf draft pick, intelligence, instincts, and competitiveness. Some combination of these traits is universal across the Leafs selections, especially so for the Leafs first-round pick Ben Danford. Clark and the Leafs were set on selecting Danford, though Clark acknowledged that the trade down to eventually acquire a 2025 second-round pick was a shrewd add.
An interesting wrinkle was Clark alluding to Treliving’s impact on the Leafs draft board, noting that the Leafs GM values size. Many of the Leafs late-round picks bring a level of physical intensity as well. This does show a glimpse of the collaborative effort behind the Leafs drafting, as Clark was able to find players that fit Treliving’s liking but also possessed the long-term upside that dictated his valuations of prospects. Clark was hardly alone, and mentioned the strong work of the Leafs European scouts in identifying late-round talent.
In all, it has been a fairly positive start to the Leafs offseason. The team added potential solutions to some major organizational issues, right defence present and future, valuable future draft capital, and a new crop of prospects to track over the next few years. Getting a look into the process of the Leafs decision-makers inspires some confidence.
