Kyle Dubas says he’s either interested in staying in Toronto as GM or he needs time away to recalibrate. Says he won’t be popping up elsewhere next week in another GM job…
Says it’s been a tough year on his family and he needs to think about that.– Pierre LeBrun (@PierreVLeBrun) May 15, 2023
Kyle Dubas: If he’s not coming back to Toronto, he wants a break from field hockey
Manuel Sperandio-LemayKyle Dubas’s future in Toronto seems more uncertain than ever.
I wouldn’t be saying the same thing if, as of today, the Leafs hadn’t been eliminated from the playoffs… But hey. That’s what it’s all about, as the saying goes.
The Leafs’ contract expires in a few weeks, and the organization will have to make some important decisions. Either they decide to give him another vote of confidence, or they decide to let him go elsewhere.
Personally, I’m leaning more towards the first option. I’ve said it many times and I’ll keep saying it: it’s not his fault that the Leafs’ star players didn’t answer the call against the Panthers. Unfortunately, he can’t go out and score the important goals even if he wanted to.
Basically, if he doesn’t return to the Leafs, Dubas wants to take a break from field hockey. He confessed that the last few months have been difficult for him and his family, which is a bit normal when you think of all the media pressure in a market like Toronto.
The idea of him landing with the Penguins (or elsewhere in the NHL) must therefore be “put on pause”.
Kyle Dubas is well aware of his club’s disappointing five-game elimination at the hands of the Panthers.
That’s why he’s made no secret of the fact that if he does return as GM of the Leafs, he’s not closing the door on trading one of his big pieces this summer.
He’s open to making huge changes to the lineup… And he used the Matthew Tkachuk trade to Florida as an example.
Kyle Dubas says he’s “interested in doing anything” with the #leafs roster this summer following a thorough evaluation.
“I would take nothing off the table at all.”
– Chris Johnston (@reporterchris) May 15, 2023
The contract, the value… The American could become a very nice bargaining chip for Dubas, and it’s 399% certain that every team will be calling if Mathews is available to the various NHL GMs.
At least, those who aren’t interested are asleep at the switch.
All this to say that there will definitely be changes within the organization in the coming months. If Dubas returns, we can truly expect to see one of the four star forwards leave for other climes…
In Brief
– It’s true that in Quebec City right now, the Remparts seem to be going crazy.
BPM Sports’ Max Truman was with the lunchtime gang to talk Remparts and Leafs.
“The Remparts buzz is over! Mr. Truman
“In my eyes, the Leafs’ season is a failure. Mr. Truman#makeyourownopinion #remparts #QMJHL https://t.co/FT1irn3Nch
– CHOI 98,1 Radio X (@CHOIRadioX) May 15, 2023
– This is a nice proof.
595 for a pair of tickets!😱https://t.co/hoJL31AIW8
– TVA Sports (@TVASports) May 15, 2023
– When will the Stanley Cup return to Canada?
My column on yet another year without a Canadian team winning the Stanley Cup. The Canadiens were last team to do it in 1993 #Habs #HabsIO: https://t.co/EMafK7RhJO
– Stu Cowan (@StuCowan1) May 15, 2023
– It’s perfectly normal.
Draisaitl’s anger was still very much present 😠 https://t.co/I0s0XmU1y5
– TVA Sports (@TVASports) May 15, 2023
– Evgeny Kuznetsov seems to be on his way out to Washington.
The votes are in and tabulated! Here’s how #Caps survey participants feel about:
🏒Missing playoffs
🏒Offseason philosophy
🏒Confidence in front office
🏒Coaching candidates
🏒Kuznetsov + Mantha
🏒UFA targets
🏒Draft needs
🏒3rd unis
And much more⤵️: https://t.co/ZleUTqRi9r– Tarik El-Bashir (@Tarik_ElBashir) May 15, 2023