Rumor: Kyle Dubas and Sheldon Keefe in Pittsburgh

You know as well as I do that rumours of Kyle Dubas being sent to Pittsburgh refuse to die. As long as the Maple Leafs refuse to confirm the DG’s contract, there will be negotiations.

And seeing Brendan Shanahan speak later (not today) to the Toronto press doesn’t help the rumours.

We know that if Dubas is free as a bird, the Penguins won’t be the only ones to want him, but they’ll surely be the most aggressive to get their hands on his services.

Whether as GM or even president.

All of which is to say that this rumour is nothing new. What is new, however, is the fact that Larry Brooks has stated that more and more people in the NHL think the scenario is likely.

How much more? Sheldon Keefe could follow suit.

Yes, we know that Mike Sullivan, whose contract is still valid for four seasons, is in place. It would seem that the Penguins are keen to keep him for the future.

But Dubas and Keefe are solid.

In fact, Dubas has hired Keefe three times in his life: as head coach at Sault Ste. Marie in the OHL, as a pilot in the AHL with the Marlies and as coach of the Maple Leafs.

If Dubas leaves, Keefe should too. And clearly, the bond of trust could still be there.

In such a case, this could open the door to a move to New York in Sullivan’s case. He knows Rangers field hockey boss Chris Drury well, and he’s a prime candidate.

Sounds like something I’d like to believe. Especially since, according to Brooks, this is a scenario often discussed in the NHL…