Photo: Sporting News
According to North Star’s Chris Johnston, Kyle Dubas is out as GM of the Toronto Maple Leafs. His contract will expire on July 1.
— Frank Seravalli (@frank_seravalli) May 19, 2023
Toronto finally broke through to the second round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs this Spring after not winning a round since 2004 but lost in five games to the Florida Panthers after. The team finished the regular season with a 50-21-11 record (.677 points percentage), fourth in the Eastern Conference and tied for fourth in the NHL.
Dubas, 37, and Toronto went all-in at the NHL Trade Deadline, acquiring center Sam Lafferty, defenseman Jake McCabe, center Noel Acciari, center Ryan O’Reilly, defenseman Erik Gustafsson, and defenseman Luke Schenn in an effort to add grit for the postseason.
Toronto, who has qualified for the Stanley Cup Playoffs every season since 2017, is facing a critical offseason as they have won just five games at most in a single postseason over that time. Right-wing William Nylander and center Auston Matthews can become unrestricted free agents on July 1, 2024, and are eligible to sign contract extensions on this upcoming July 1. The team could make a major shake up this offseason after coming up short for the sixth straight year.
Dubas, who has held the role since May 2018, told the media that he will only work for Toronto and would take time with his family if not retained. He was previously linked to the Pittsburgh Penguins’ GM opening before shooting that report down.
Toronto finished the regular season ninth with an average of 3.39 goals-per-game, seventh with a 2.68 goals-against per game average, second with a 26% power-play efficiency, and tied 11th with a 81.9% penalty-killing rate.
By Harrison Brown
And once again, Toronto descends into darkness.
Strange to keep a head coach in this situation. Now new GM has hands tied.
He gone.
If I were Carbs and had a good opportunity to jump ship, I would.
Given that three teams are interviewing him to be HCSC, I would think he is as good as gone.
Could happen that a new GM might want him to be their HC but I wouldn’t stay around to find out.
“Jumping Ship” has risks! Carbery might be hired in WAS. He might become a good coach, a really good coach. But he jumped ship once already! Signed with GMBM, then bolted for the now-disgraced GMKD
In centuries past, ship-jump Jack Tar sailors were subject to keelhauling and execution. So yes, I question the young man’s judgment, his loyalty score
Lmfao what? You might think that matters, but everyone in the business understands that he made moves to advance his career and take on more responsibility.
Btw, no one thinks Kyle Dubas is disgraced except for you.
Dubas made some fair moves. On paper, the Leafs have looked competitive going into the playoffs but their core guys just don’t have enough fire in the belly.
TOR’s salary cap situation is rough. That’s on Dubas.
Dubas made great moves, but like I said at the time, he overpaid for JT, considerably. Tavares wanted to go to TO, and he bent Dubas over the barrel to get NMC, a ton of cash mostly paid in bonuses, and the captaincy. He had missed out on Stammer, and in his blindness to make a big splash, he bet very heavy on the wrong guy. Compare to Sweeney, and the very many team deals he’s gotten Bruins to sign.
Nylander and Rielly were the Leafs’ playoff MVPs. Marner was trash, like always. Matthews looked less than 100%, but he always gives it his all. If i were the incoming GM, I’d try to trade Marner for Hellebuyck or Gibson, and use the money to bring in more offensive depth. But i don’t think Shanny is going to return my call, so i hope the replacement is worse than Garth Snow.
Don’t think anyone in Caps organization can throw shade to any of the Toronto moves! Your GM’s been very far from perfect over last few seasons! And do you know what loyalty & flys have in common ….they both hover over crap!! If spencer has smarts go with money!