Kyle Dubas was named president of hockey operations for the Pittsburgh Penguins Thursday.
The 37-year-old will oversee all aspects of the Penguins hockey division’s operations including setting the strategic vision and philosophy for the franchise.
“On behalf of my family, we are thrilled to join the Pittsburgh Penguins organization and all the wonderful people at the Fenway Sports Group,” Dubas said. “I deeply appreciate the opportunity ahead of me. The ownership group, the leadership of FSG and the Penguins staff on the ground in Pittsburgh have been absolutely outstanding. Everyone has shown a clear commitment to building a best-in-class hockey operation.”
Dubas replaces Brian Burke, who was fired as president of the Penguins along with general manager Ron Heckstall on April 14. And in his second full seasons with the team, the Penguins went 40-31-11 and missed the Stanley Cup playoffs for the first time in 16 seasons, which was the longest streak in the NHL.
Dubas, who served as general manager of the Toronto Maple Leafs for five seasons, was told on May 19 that he would not return next season. His contract will expire on June 30.
“We are thrilled to welcome Kyle to the Pittsburgh Penguins,” John Henry, principal owner of Fenway Sports Group and Chairman Tom Werner, said in a statement. Throughout his career, Kyle has established himself as a forward-thinking hockey mind who embodies all of the qualities—integrity, intelligence, unwavering commitment to building a winning culture—that we value in a leader at the Penguins and within the Fenway Sports group. We’ve worked hard to narrow down the candidates through the process, but it didn’t take long. It took a long time for Kyle to impress, the reputation he has earned for himself in and around the NHL, and his vision for the organization on and off the ice.His passion for the sport and his ability to foster collaborative relationships with his staff, coaches, and players is the kind of leadership style that will undoubtedly resonate with the front office and set us on a new path. For near-term success with our current championship – basic caliber and beyond with a commitment to long-term sustainable success.”
Dubas was promoted to Maple Leafs GM on May 11, 2018, taking over from Lou Lamoriello, after joining Toronto on July 22, 2014, as an assistant GM. He was at 221-109-42 as GM Toronto, a position he held at the age of 32.
On locker cleaning day, May 15, three days after Toronto was eliminated from the Stanley Cup playoffs by the Florida Panthers in five games in the best-of-7 Eastern Conference second round, Dubas said he planned to talk to his family before deciding whether he wanted to Return to the position of general manager.
“My family is a very important part of what I do, so committing to anything without having a full understanding of what has been going through this year is unfair for me to answer for where I am,” Dubas said. “We haven’t been able to have those full discussions yet, but it’s been very difficult, it’s been a year for her, so it’s difficult for me.”
Dubas has been linked to other NHL jobs in recent weeks, but he pulled himself out of the running on May 15 for any job except staying with the Maple Leafs.
“What I would say is I definitely don’t have it in me to go anywhere else, so either it’s here (in Toronto) or it’s going to take time to recalibrate and think about the seasons here,” Dubas said. “But you won’t see me next week showing up for me somewhere else. I can’t put it down.” [my family] Through it after this year.”