Suddenly, after Kyle Dubas was let go as general manager of the Toronto Maple Leafs, the organization finds itself in the middle of several unresolved situations. Confusions and challenges abound.
With Jason Spezza’s resignation, a foreign concept—loyalty—suddenly invaded the idea of professional sports. Common knowledge is that in professional sports, players accept that they are indentured servants, even though they are very rich.
As part of the history lesson, the practice of indentured servitude began in the early 17th century, specifically in the early colonial period of North America. As an indentured servant, an individual was contractually obligated to work for a set amount of time in return for moving to the “new” country (or other form of assistance). In the case of the NHL, players are committed to a team for a specific period of time—in effect, under contract.
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Long-term contract work is all well and good if you’re where you want to be
Back in Spezza, with Dubas removed as general manager, what we don’t know is who else is loyal to Dubas. And to what extent are they willing to act on this loyalty? The current Maple Leafs squad boasts a Core Four group of players that Dubas has not only brought in, but also negotiated contracts with.
Dupas also advocated for them to hold together when much of the rest of the world wanted them to dissolve. He stood up for them, even when they didn’t. They have never had a more loyal partisan or, even two days ago, a more powerful one.
Not a distant general manager, Dubas knew the players well. He was close to them. Many of those we suspect were close to him. They knew his philosophy and what he stood for. He put his money where his mouth was – season after season. There was no nuance. He built a team around his core.
Now what happens with gold dubas?
After Dubas was not renewed as general manager, uncertainty about the team’s direction suddenly arose. Nobody knows what the team’s strategy and culture will be in the long term. And the concept of culture is what will bring players together.
For those who think it is all about winning, it is not. Win or lose, a team is a “group of brothers”. With 32 teams, if a different team wins each season to tie the game, given the average NHL career length, less than a third of all NHL players will win their entire career. About 67 percent will never win a Stanley Cup — ever.
So, culture is at least as strong as winning – maybe more. Now are the Maple Leafs facing a potential cultural change? Suddenly, uncertainty came at the worst possible time. All four core team items that can be transferred will be transferred soon. Or, the team wouldn’t be able to transfer them at all, and they could and possibly enter into no-move clauses (first), and possibly into free agency without compensation (second).
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Three of the starting four can decide to go into free agency
What does it mean? This means that unless they are traded this season, two of all three could fulfill their contracts and walk into free agency in July 2024. Contractually, the team cannot trade them and they can leave free and clear. The Maple Leafs will get nothing in return.
Could that happen? Who knows, maybe it didn’t happen. But that doesn’t mean it can’t.
Thinking specifically of Auston Matthews, there is speculation that if Dupas had stayed on as general manager, Matthews would have easily signed the extension by the summer. However, with the advent of a new manager, it was now uncertain whether Matthews would feel comfortable committing to the team for a future he did not know or trust.
When there is a new general manager, it will take some time to build trust with the players. The timetable is limited for this to happen. Can the new general manager sell a new vision and earn Matthews’ trust? With only 40 days until July 1 (when Matthews’ no-trade clause becomes eligible for an extension), it becomes increasingly difficult for anyone new to convince Matthews as well as implement any necessary changes or moves.
Other time-sensitive decisions must be made
Matthews isn’t the only player with an upcoming no-move clause. Marner and Nylander also have payable clauses. The team needs to make decisions regarding these two other players – also before clauses start on July 1st. This creates a sense of urgency not only to impress Matthews but also to ensure that there is enough time to implement any plans involving these players.
The need to appoint a new general manager is urgent. There is a possibility that the players could meet and engage in some kind of informal agreement not to sign extensions. If that happens, the team will be on pins and needles.
Again, while highly unlikely, players could decide to unionize – especially if they didn’t like the direction the team was moving in – and either force a deal or decide to go through with their individual contracts.
If that happens, can anyone imagine the semi-direct effect on the Maple Leafs? Without getting anything in return for these players, the Maple Leafs could find themselves in an almost instant rebuild.
The clock is ticking, but simply hiring a new general manager is not enough
The time has already begun for the team to find a replacement for Dubas. But, even if the new GM is hired, the job isn’t done. The new GM must convince Matthews, Marner and Nylander of the value of the vision offered and bring them on board.
I don’t know how loyal the three were to Doba, but he (a) negotiated with each of them individually, (b) devised a game plan that highlighted their skills, and (c) stood up for them even when they didn’t. handoffs, and (d) he never relinquished his commitment to them as the main cogs of the Maple Leafs machine – even when much of the rest of the hockey world thought it impossible and was crazy to try.
What will the key players think of the new general manager?
Do all three think they can get the same level of support and commitment from the new general manager that they got from Dubas? They may be loyal enough to Dubas as a person and as a hockey game thinker to be passive aggressive—meaning they may not decide to follow him wherever he goes, but they may exercise their rights not to sign with the team he left—because they can.
Maple leaves may be in a precarious position. The team needs to navigate the situation effectively to maintain stability and make strategic decisions for the team’s future. What that future might be is up in the air.
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