The Toronto Maple Leafs find themselves at a crossroads as questions about the future of general manager Kyle Dubas remain unsettled. After the end of the postseason, there was speculation that one of two things might happen. First, either Dubas would be fired. Or, secondly, he will be offered to extend the contract.
However, Dupas seemed to pull a card from his sleeve that took everyone by surprise. During his media press at the end of the season, he hinted at the possibility of stepping away and taking some time off.
At first, I thought that only if the Maple Leafs chose not to extend it; However, when I read or listen to how others interpret Dupas’ comments, Dupas may have been pre-empting the Maple Leafs’ decision by announcing that he needed some time to sit down with his family to discuss the future. Either way, the Maple Leafs decided.
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Hockey expert Darren Dreger sees Dubas’ comment as a surprise
Darren Dreger of TSN Hockey Insider offered his own insight to what he thinks is unfolding in this situation. According to Dreger, Brendan Shanahan, president of the Maple Leafs organization, and the rest of the organization were surprised by Dupas’ comments. Now they are stuck a bit in no-man’s-land and anxiously await a decision from Dubas as to whether he will stay at his old job or whether he will take some time off.
According to Dreger, Dubas created a dilemma for the organization. If I understand Draeger’s ideas correctly, it appears the team was expecting Dubas to keep doing his old job until everything happened. Instead, Dubas told them to wait. He needed to talk to his wife and family.
The dilemma is that the person needs to lead
The dilemma now lies in the fact that the Maple Leafs can’t afford to wait any longer. A number of critical decisions must be taken. And these decisions are far from minor – they will shape the future of the franchise. They need a leader.
The work of the management team obviously continued behind the scenes. But the problem is, someone needs to make a move to lead. And that person appears to be Dubas. As a result, until Dubas’ future is settled, the organization remains in limbo.
Dubas’ comments were unexpected
Dubas’ statement about the team possibly needing a reset or recalibration surprised many. It was expected that he would simply express his desire to return to Toronto as general manager, and then wait to see what the organization decided. Few expected him to share his belief that the team needed a different direction and that he would consult his family first about his future as general manager.
Those who are familiar with the tough Toronto market should understand that Dupas may have been very honest when he admitted that the season had taken its toll on his family. It’s also fair, since the organization left him in limbo when they didn’t sign him to a contract extension, he would reciprocate.
Moreover, his response seems logical. Since he’s facing a period of time when he’ll face the end of the job he’s held for several seasons now, maybe the team can wait for him to talk to his family. As he points out, he thinks it would be unfair to commit to anything without thinking of their own well-being.
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What to do by July 1
Maple Leafs are facing an important six weeks. Crucial decisions that need to be made before Canada Day include what to do with those key players on the list whose no-action clauses go into effect on Canada Day. Without decisions on Auston Matthews, Mitch Marner and William Nylander and their contract, the organization cannot chart the new course Dubas has hinted at. However, until Dubas’ situation is resolved, the team’s plans are on hold. Who has the power here?
Has the uncertainty about Dubas’ future sparked a sense of urgency within the organisation? What would the organization’s leadership team do without a general manager to guide them through this crucial stage?
Does Dreger say that without dubas there is no leadership?
Assuming the Maple Leafs have a talented management team, what role does Dubas play in leading the team through the challenges that lie ahead? The answer seems to be that Dubas plays a big role.
According to Dreger, Dupas’ comments about needing time to make a decision is an unexpected turn of events with massive ramifications for the Maple Leafs.
The organization might simply be able to afford Dubas, but…
So what do I do with Dubas’ comments? There are several ways to see this unfold.
Dubas may be advocating fair play and seeking a little bit of quid pro quo. He was made to wait, and now he expects similar behavior in return. This comes from feeling confident.
Or maybe Dubas is playing a game of chicken. There might be a challenge for the Maple Leafs to show their cards? This, too, seems to come from feeling confident.
Or maybe Dubas thinks the organization will let him go and wants to clean up his office before he gets out of the building. This seems to show a sense of defiance.
Finally, perhaps it’s a simple, direct statement that he simply values his family more than he values a job as general manager of the Maple Leafs. Maybe this is a personal matter and the decision is up to his family – just like he said. This will show a sense of where his true allegiance lies.
Whatever the case, Dubas made his stand
In the coming days, we’ll see how the organization and Dubas work together to sort out the situation – if they do. What happened was that the force had shifted. Dubas is no longer just a leaf (the maple leaf) waiting for the winds (the organization) to blow him wherever they are.
Dubas appears to have weighed his options and determined the best course for himself and his family. Now the Maple Leafs are called upon to fight back.
If Dreger is correct, the resolution of this question could shape the future of one of the NHL’s oldest franchises. Maybe it wasn’t just the Maple Leafs’ decision after all.
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