The Toronto Maple Leafs have parted ways with general manager Kyle Dubas, the team announced Friday. Here’s what you need to know:
- Dubas was the 17th general manager in Leafs franchise history. The Maple Leafs named Dubas GM on May 11, 2018.
- With Dubas as GM, the Leafs signed William Nylander, Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner to extended contracts.
- The Maple Leafs have made the playoffs every season under Dubas as GM. Their only postseason win that season was against the Tampa Bay Lightning in this year’s playoffs.
- Dubas’ contract expires on June 30.
Why are pumpkins and leaves different?
In what we believe will be Dubas’ final press conference as Leafs GM, he spoke candidly about the emotional toll this year has taken on him and his family. Elliotte Friedman, who first broke the news, later reported that Dubas told MLSE that his future would come only after a lengthy discussion with his family. The position and offseason injuries kept Dubas from renewing his contract with the Leafs — at least in part.
How should Dubas’ time in Toronto be viewed?
Dubas was arguably the best Leafs GM in recent memory. He stuck to the vision of having a talented team that wanted to keep the ball and kept the likes of Matthews, Marner, Nylander and John Tavares under contract.
Under Dubas, the Leafs put together their best regular season in franchise history. Dubas’ vision continued to evolve as he added the necessary components to make the team better suited for hockey. His ability to identify and fill gaps in the roster was his strength.
The Leafs are well-rounded with Dubas in charge, adding up-and-coming forward Matthew Kinney in the second round of the 2021 draft. In the end, though, not making the playoffs will be part of Dubas’ GM legacy, even if the players and the coach deserve that loss, if not more.
What will the next Leafs GM have on their plate?
There is no shortage of huge decisions for the next GM. Should one or more of the top four forwards, two of whom have just one year left on their contracts, be traded? Trading one of those players doesn’t seem like an unbeatable deal at first glance.
The next GM will have to carefully consider both the options in trade and what kind of identity this Leafs team needs going forward. And what about coach Sheldon Keefe, who grew up in the Leafs organization at Dubas? Keefe made just one playoff appearance as head coach of the Leafs. It’s fair to assume the next GM will bring in a new coach who fits their vision.
What are they saying?
Back story
Entering the 2022-23 season, Dubas was in the final year of a five-year contract. A contract extension has not been announced.
The Leafs finished second in the Atlantic Division this season with a 50-21-11 record. The Florida Panthers eliminated the Leafs in five games in the second round of the playoffs.
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(Photo: Nathan Dennett / The Canadian Press via AP)