Maple Leafs officially chose Brad Treliving as the new GM and fans aren't happy!

It is now official. The Toronto Maple Leafs have officially hired Brad Treliving as the team’s new general manager.

“I’m very pleased to welcome Brad into the Maple Leafs organization,” Maple Leafs president Brendan Shanahan said Wednesday. “Brad brings a wealth of knowledge from his years of experience as a general manager and hockey executive in Calgary, Arizona and beyond. He has earned tremendous respect amongst his peers throughout his years in the NHL and has built excellent relationships at all levels within the game. We are confident that Brad’s leadership and strategic vision will elevate the Maple Leafs in our continued pursuit of a championship.”

For days, Treliving was believed to be the front-runner to take over the role as the Maple Leafs pursued an experienced candidate to replace Kyle Dubas, who was let go just weeks ago. The Maple Leafs also interviews former Montreal Canadiens GM Marc Bergevin, but were believed to have a preference for Treliving to take over the vacancy in Toronto.

Treliving spent nine seasons as general manager of the Calgary Flames before parting ways with the team in April ahead of his contract expiring June 30.

There is plenty of work for Treliving to take over in Toronto with Auston Matthews’ name likely at the top of it. Matthews is eligible for an extension as of July 1 but this is the same day his no-trade clause kicks in for the final year of his current deal.

Fans on social media reacted to Treliving’s hiring, some wondering if this is the right pick for the Maple Leafs seeing how the former Flames GM failed to re-sign free agent Johnny Gaudreau last summer and was on the losing end of the blockbuster trade that sent Matthew Tkachuk to the now Eastern conference champions Florida Panthers.

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