As expected, the Leafs hit us with a classic Friday afternoon before dumping the news for the long weekend.
expected to happen.
Thus, Kyle Dubas is out as Leafs GM.
First, before jumping to conclusions about what really happened, it’s important to stress that only one side of the story is there. With time, I’m sure Dubas will have his say, but for now, all we have to dissect is Brendan Shanahan’s word. At the end of the day, it’s a business. As tough as it sounds, you’re set to get fired – especially in the NHL world. Dubas got his day. I’m sure Shanahan will have a role on the way. When it comes to money, all bets are off, no matter what partnership is in place.
Whichever way you cut it, what’s done is done. The next few weeks will be a pivotal stretch as the search for a new General Manager begins in earnest. It’s worth noting that Shanahan said he wanted someone with experience — which is totally understandable. That said, it’s easier said than done to find the perfect fit to complement what the Leafs already have in the likes of Brandon Pridham, among others. Kyle Dubas may have been the face of the operation, but rest assured, there are many others behind the scenes doing a lot of the heavy lifting.
Plus, I’m really curious as to what this means for the future. As we all know, both Auston Matthews and William Nylander are eligible for contract extensions on the 1st of July. If Toronto can’t re-sign them, they risk losing them for nothing in free agency in the summer of 2024. Furthermore, both Matthews and Mitch Marner have full no-movement clauses starting July 1st.
Buckle up, the next six weeks should be something.