Leafs GM Brad Treliving reveals true thoughts of Lightning

It's become one of the better rivalries in the National Hockey League in recent years, as the Tampa Bay Lightning and Toronto Maple Leafs are not only divisional foes but have also faced one another in consecutive years in Round 1 of the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

In heartbreaking fashion from Toronto's point of view, the Lightning (who were at the time the two-time defending Stanley Cup champions) rebounded from a 3-2 series deficit to defeat the Leafs in Game 7 at Scotiabank Arena in 2022. However, the Leafs were able to turn the tables on the Lightning the following year by winning their first postseason series in 19 years, a drought that had dated back to 2004.

1st year Leafs general manager Brad Treliving has been tasked with taking Toronto to new heights that they were unable to attain under previous GM Kyle Dubas, and he had nothing but good things to say about the franchise that has been a model of success the last several years.

“They are a team full of championship pedigree from top to bottom,” Treliving told TSN Hockey Insider Pierre LeBrun for The Athletic. “They have champions’ standards and habits and a clear understanding of the level required when the calendar turns to April and beyond. They simply know how to win when it matters most, and that is a powerful trait.

“Besides their immense talent, they have the championship experience of understanding all nuances of each situation. Understanding the ebbs and flows of momentum and an elite knowledge of the gamesmanship required within the game. They have the earned calluses formed from championship runs.”

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