Some Toronto journalists naturally feel the need to pump out their tales to get the most clicks in order to add to the Leafs’ wide range of postmortem guidance. Howard Berger is currently making the rounds for absurd and unsubstantiated claims that the Maple Leafs will fire Kyle Dubas and Brendan Shanahan this offseason.
The team’s approach throughout the previous four seasons, specifically the philosophy of keeping key players together despite repeated postseason failure, can be primarily attributed to these two executives. Although the front office is likely to undergo some changes, Berger boldly declares that both executives will be fired in his article without providing any evidence for his statements.
From the source: “Don’t be shocked then # Leaves Fire Brendan Shanahan and Kyle Dubas. Very soon.” Latest blog… https://t.co/Cr4DyBy2PF pic.twitter.com/eNlwPjHYB1
– Howard Berger (@Berger_BYTES) May 13, 2023
Brendan Shanahan is still under contract for the upcoming season, but general manager Kyle Dubas is not, and the repeated failure of the postseason clearly raises questions about his job security, despite being one of the highest-paid front office players in Leafs history.
Maybe the situation is a bit fluid actually. With the significant deals Matthews and Nylander will be offered to negotiate off-season, there are no insiders familiar with the Leafs’ current strategy. If the team decides that a major trade is the best way forward, or if key players need to be retained, continuity in the GM role would be ideal in the off-season.