Kyle Dubas is Out as Leaf GM/Shanahan Speaks

 

Photo From Maple Leaf Hot Stove

So, the closing of my latest article where I suggested that Kyle Dubas will stay on as GM with the team’s latest signing, throw that out the window because just before the noon hour the Leafs announced that Kyle Dubas would not return as the teams General Manager and then 15 minutes later the Toronto Marlies who had their season end after being swept by the Rochester Americans, they released a statement announcing they would not be renewing the contracts for their entire coaching staff.

President Brendan Shanahan is supposed to be speaking to the media at around 3 pm this afternoon and I will likely update this article with my thoughts on what answers we receive. For now, though with this announcement, our next question is undoubtedly what happens now? The NHL Entry Draft is at the end of June next month, and then free agency opens on July 1^st.  Auston Matthews is due for a contract extension on that day, and we all know about his positive relationship with the now former General Manager. Will this change his mind about staying in Toronto?  If it does then there’s no question the Leafs, and whoever is calling the shots will have to be moved at the draft. Auston will likely sit down with the Leafs and wonder what direction the team may be going in.

A few names have been tossed around as possible replacements for the Leafs and they are Brad Treliving who was removed as Calgary’s GM.  Fans after watching their Leafs be eliminated by Florida instantly wanted changes to the core, Well Treliving could be the guy that Toronto would need if that’s the direction that management wants to go. Brad pulled off the Tkachuk for Huberdeau trade last July and it worked out for Calgary and Florida. Another name mentioned as a possible GM is Mark Hunter who would be returning to the Leafs organization. Mark was once in the running for the GM job in Toronto but went back to the London Knights after Kyle was given the keys to the operation. Hunter has had numerous years of success with the London Knights and has connections with both Mitch Marner and John Tavares.

 

Keep an eye on this article because I will add to it after Shanahan’s press conference. Buckle up Leaf fans.

*Update*

  So, Brendan spoke going over the timeline leading up to today’s decision and honestly, there are more questions than answers. Shanahan said he felt that there was a fair deal in place for Kyle but on Monday at the team’s media conferences when Kyle publicly said he wasn’t sure if he would come back as GM. Shanahan said today that an offer was given by the board with no word from Kyle or his agent until Wednesday when Shanahan spoke with Kyle the conversation was short with Kyle said Brendan would hear from his agent and Kyle shortly. Then comes Thursday when Dubas said he would like to stay on as GM, but his agent presented a counteroffer that Shanahan couldn’t agree to.

As everyone who follows this blog knows I am a fan of Kyle and his job as Leafs GM. Did I like every single trade or signing that Kyle made? No, but overall, I was a fan of his job done here in Toronto but Monday during his press conference when Kyle said he would talk to his family about returning. It sounds like that was simply a tactic used by Kyle. Brendan said that there was an offer given to Kyle after the trade deadline, but Kyle said I’ll come back but I want more money. First of all, you don’t publicly say I don’t know if I want to return as GM. If that is what you’re feeling then fine, but you have that conversation behind closed doors with your employer. Of course, if you are the General Manager of the Toronto Maple Leafs there’s all kinds of pressure and the job isn’t for everyone, but you can’t negotiate publicly with any team let alone the Toronto Maple Leafs. There have been all kinds of speculation that many teams will be calling Kyle and offering him a job well now we will see because every team will be aware of your comments made on Monday and every team will be aware of your negotiating tactic that backfired on Kyle.

Brendan Shanahan was asked what he would be looking for in the next General Manager for the Toronto Maple Leafs and his answer was he would like an experienced person as GM. To me that puts his focus on Brad Treliving but one thing’s for sure Leaf land is going to be interesting all summer long.

thanks for reading as always.