from Kevin McGran of the Toronto Star,

- Brad Treliving comes across with a fairly good sense of humour, combined with a decent big-picture take on the world. He’s certainly quotable. Like Brian Burke without the bleeps.

Treliving recalled a story in which he was asked about contract negotiations and whether the two sides were “close.” He told his questioner: “We’re getting there ... there’s only two issues left. We’ve just got to figure out the term and the money.”

- Speaking of uncomfortable, the same goes for Sheldon Keefe after the hiring of Guy Boucher to run the power play. Considering Treliving didn’t hire Keefe, it’s worth watching what kind of start the Leafs get off to. Boucher is an experienced NHL coach who took both Tampa Bay and Ottawa to the Eastern Conference final, and he was on Brendan Shanahan’s short list in 2015 before the Leafs hired Mike Babcock. He’d be the favourite to be the interim” coach if things go sideway for Keefe’s Leafs.

- Not sure what to make of the Leafs defence. John Klingberg wasn’t exactly the kind of blueliner they needed, unless the idea is for Morgan Rielly to play more of a shutdown role. Does Rielly-Klingberg, Jake McCabe-T.J. Brodie, Mark Giordano-Timothy Liljegren do it for you?

more