Leafs CEO admits that Auston Matthews was consulted over Brad Treliving firing

Last night the the Toronto Maple Leafs finally, mercifully dismissed GM Brad Treliving... just weeks after contract negotiations on an extension.

Today, TSN insider Darren Dreger reported that at one point Leafs CEO Keith Pelley was considering signing Treliving to a contract extension. "At one point during the Olympic break Pelley and Treliving actually talked about a contract extension," Dreger said on TSN today. "But coming out of the break things really began to unravel and Pelley and ownership decided they had to go in a different direction."

Pelley admitted to the media today that captain Auston Matthews was consulted prior to Treliving's firing, but Pelley stopped short of confirming that Matthews was responsible for the decision. Pelley did say though that Matthews will continue to be involved in management decisions moving forward, however.

To me, this indicates that Pelley and the Leafs are doing everything possible to ensure that Matthews sticks with the team long-term... for better or worse.