A Comprehensive Review of the Kyle Dubas Era

[ToneDog]

Do you actually think Kyle would table a counter offer to Shanny that reportedly nearly doubled his financial compensation if he wasn't at the very least aware of the interest he had leaguewide??

C'mon guys, it's fine to have a different opinion on him. If you don't think he is the guy for the job, I can totally respect that. But you are flat out wrong if you think he is a complete failure. Those guys don't get employed in the same roles immediately after their dismissals. To put it in perspective, JFJ was relieved of his GM job in 2008. He has not received a GM position since. People don't forget epic failures.

In contrast, Bruce Cassidy, his tenure as the Bruins coach would be every bit as much of a failure as Kyle's tenure as GM. Bruce was then immediately hired into a similar role and is 1 game away from the SCF.

Kyle will be successful in this league, and he will be employed as a GM for a long time. He has shown he is more than capable of assembling a winning team

Did Cassidy say it was Bruins or nothing ? No idea why he would put that out there.

 

[57 Years No Cup]

Do you actually think Kyle would table a counter offer to Shanny that reportedly nearly doubled his financial compensation if he wasn't at the very least aware of the interest he had leaguewide??

C'mon guys, it's fine to have a different opinion on him. If you don't think he is the guy for the job, I can totally respect that. But you are flat out wrong if you think he is a complete failure. Those guys don't get employed in the same roles immediately after their dismissals. To put it in perspective, JFJ was relieved of his GM job in 2008. He has not received a GM position since. People don't forget epic failures.

In contrast, Bruce Cassidy, his tenure as the Bruins coach would be every bit as much of a failure as Kyle's tenure as GM. Bruce was then immediately hired into a similar role and is 1 game away from the SCF.

Kyle will be successful in this league, and he will be employed as a GM for a long time. He has shown he is more than capable of assembling a winning team.

What winning team did he "assemble"?

 

[Twine Tickler]

What winning team did he "assemble"?

The team that set the franchise record in points in 2021-22 and the runner up to that in 2022-23....? keep in mind we have a 104 year history. Of course not all of those seasons had 82 game seasons and loser points, but nonetheless.

Seems obvious we are going nowhere with this convo. I respect your difference in opinion. Seems unlikely that either one of us are going to move on our stances.

All I can hope for is that we have a competent GM that is not near sighted. The NHL is far too competitive to have an All-In approach. The only way to win is to have sustained success. Take your shots when you can, but always maintain a firm grip on how that would impact your next 1-5 years.

I hope you guys can all appreciate that despite the lame duck situation Kyle was put in last season, he did not make a single move that compromised our future. There is very little mess to clean up in that regard. Which is something that could not be said for many GM's that would have been in his position. He never lost touch of the future. Which is hugely important for any GM to have. Hopefully we can get someone with that same quality

 

[AvroArrow]

Gave RFA's that had 0 leverage 5 year deals worth 11m+. No other RFA got double digits, those deals crippled this team.

 

[seventieslord]

If you rank all of Kyle Dubas' moves by magnitude (i.e. the stature of the player(s) and amount of salary involved), you are almost ranking them in ascending order of positivity.

The larger the move, the worse it was. He made so many nice little moves, but unfortunately they are outweighed by the large magnitude ones (trading for Foligno, the contracts for the core 4 - and yes, Rielly too...)

 

[JKG33]

The fact that Kyle already has teams clamoring over him and reaching out to him is a testament to his abilities as a GM. Again, this is not my opinion, this would be what the people who work in the game think of him. Not to mention the very organization he was let go from was in an alleged uproar when the news broke of his dismissal.

You guys need to remove your feelings towards the guy, and understand he is a very quality GM in this league. He wears a share of the blame for certain. But IMO his share is the smallest in relation to coaching, and the players themselves. I have never claimed Kyle did not make mistakes in his tenure. I know he's made plenty. But that doesn't even come close to scratching the surface on all the good things he accomplished. I have remained consistent in that view of him as a GM for quite some time now. It's not going to change because the team underperformed against the Panthers. The GM's job is done after the deadline, and I was more than satisfied with the construction of the roster at that time. It was worthy of a real run. We ran into a wagon, c'est la vie. It's just the way the cookie crumbles.

I have also gone on to say that he is not the only guy that could be fit to do the job for us. There are plenty of bright hockey minds in the game, and we can certainly replace one of them for another. I think it's risky to do so given Kyle's share of the blame was the smallest IMO, but if that's the direction the board wanted to go, I can live with it.

If you need proof of what a terrible and epic failure at the GM position looks like, look at Jim Benning. Who has been out of the game for over a year and a half due to his incompetence. That will not be the case for Kyle, unless he chooses to take a step back. Again, that is the hockey community that will dictate his level of competency, not me.

How many series did Dim Jim win? I don't know, but I'm betting its damn close to what the excellent Kyle Dubas did

 

[Twine Tickler]

How many series did Dim Jim win? I don't know, but I'm betting its damn close to what the excellent Kyle Dubas did

Yes you're right, but he also severely handcuffed the Canucks for many years after his dismissal.

Tyler Meyers, OEL, Dickonson (needed to trade picks to offload), Pearson, Poolman and along with other questionable signings that have matured all play a massive role in why that team is a perennial dud. Despite having a decently talented young core. In a f***ing garbage division no less.

You may not like Kyle and see no value in what he did these past 5 seasons, but he didn't leave any mess to clean up. Which is massive. Again, referencing Jim once more, his hail Mary move was to trade the last years of Louis Erikson, Beagle, and Roussel's deals for 6 more years of a useless OEL. That is the level of desperation you usually see from a GM in the hot seat. Those deals can kill your franchise.

Kyle did nothing of that nature. Despite having all of the weight in the world on his shoulders. You have to respect that

 

[JKG33]

Yes you're right, but he also severely handcuffed the Canucks for many years after his dismissal.

Tyler Meyers, OEL, Dickonson (needed to trade picks to offload), Pearson, Poolman and along with other questionable signings that have matured all play a massive role in why that team is a perennial dud. Despite having a decently talented young core. In a f***ing garbage division no less.

You may not like Kyle and see no value in what he did these past 5 seasons, but he didn't leave any mess to clean up. Which is massive. Again, referencing Jim once more, his hail Mary move was to trade the last years of Louis Erikson, Beagle, and Roussel's deals for 6 more years of a useless OEL. That is the level of desperation you usually see from a GM in the hot seat. Those deals can kill your franchise.

Kyle did nothing of that nature. Despite having all of the weight in the world on his shoulders. You have to respect that

How did he not leave a mess? Created a losing culture by coddling the kids. Caved on their contract demands and walked them right to UFA. Handed out NMC's handcuffing the team. He absolutely left a mess behind

 

[57 Years No Cup]

The team that set the franchise record in points in 2021-22 and the runner up to that in 2022-23....? keep in mind we have a 104 year history. Of course not all of those seasons had 82 game seasons and loser points, but nonetheless.

Seems obvious we are going nowhere with this convo. I respect your difference in opinion. Seems unlikely that either one of us are going to move on our stances.

All I can hope for is that we have a competent GM that is not near sighted. The NHL is far too competitive to have an All-In approach. The only way to win is to have sustained success. Take your shots when you can, but always maintain a firm grip on how that would impact your next 1-5 years.

I hope you guys can all appreciate that despite the lame duck situation Kyle was put in last season, he did not make a single move that compromised our future. There is very little mess to clean up in that regard. Which is something that could not be said for many GM's that would have been in his position. He never lost touch of the future. Which is hugely important for any GM to have. Hopefully we can get someone with that same quality

He didn't assemble that team. He inherited the core, then stubbornly stuck with it loss after playoff loss after playoff loss and playoff loss after playoff loss. Had he not done that my tune might be entirely different. That said, sticking with the core might be a Corporate directive. We will find that out very soon, likely within weeks.

How did he not leave a mess? Created a losing culture by coddling the kids. Caved on their contract demands and walked them right to UFA. Handed out NMC's handcuffing the team. He absolutely left a mess behind

Yup.

 

[Twine Tickler]

He didn't assemble that team

He didn't assemble the team, yet he is responsible for their lack of playoff performance.

Yup that makes complete sense.

 

[57 Years No Cup]

He didn't assemble the team, yet he is responsible for their lack of playoff performance.

Yup that makes complete sense.

Oh here comes the selective quotation of words part purging out the parts of the quote you don't like to change the context. You guys are a hoot.

 

[mikeyz]

He didn't assemble the team, yet he is responsible for their lack of playoff performance.

Yup that makes complete sense.

Yes he is responsible for that and it does make sense. Because he completely bent over for the core during their RFA contract negotiations and handcuffed the team with the cap to improve in other areas.

 

[JKG33]

Yes he is responsible for that. Because he completely bent over for them during their RFA contract negotiations and handcuffed the team with the cap to improve in other areas.

And refused to trade any of them, doubling down on their failure every year

 

[Donnie740]

The team that set the franchise record in points in 2021-22 and the runner up to that in 2022-23....? keep in mind we have a 104 year history. Of course not all of those seasons had 82 game seasons and loser points, but nonetheless.

Seems obvious we are going nowhere with this convo. I respect your difference in opinion. Seems unlikely that either one of us are going to move on our stances.

All I can hope for is that we have a competent GM that is not near sighted. The NHL is far too competitive to have an All-In approach. The only way to win is to have sustained success. Take your shots when you can, but always maintain a firm grip on how that would impact your next 1-5 years.

I hope you guys can all appreciate that despite the lame duck situation Kyle was put in last season, he did not make a single move that compromised our future. There is very little mess to clean up in that regard. Which is something that could not be said for many GM's that would have been in his position. He never lost touch of the future. Which is hugely important for any GM to have. Hopefully we can get someone with that same quality

Regular season results are about as irrelevant as getting respect in the handshake line.

Playoffs are the only thing that matters.

 

[mikeyz]

Regular season results are about as irrelevant as getting respect in the handshake line.

Playoffs are the only thing that matters.

Exactly. The Panthers this year are a text book example.

 

[Twine Tickler]

Oh here comes the selective quotation of words part purging out the parts of the quote you don't like to change the context. You guys are a hoot.

what did I miss? The team that failed in the playoffs is due to Kyle's inability to manage correct??? His loyalty to a core that he inherited, combined with the acquisitions he made to surround that core was ultimately the reason he failed no? One might call that assembling a roster, but who am I to judge. I don't want to put words into your mouth, I am just trying to understand your logic. I find it hard to believe he didn't assemble the roster he was managing for the last 5 seasons. You do recognize retaining assets is part of assembling a roster right?

Yes he is responsible for that. Because he completely bent over for them during their RFA contract negotiations and handcuffed the team with the cap to improve in other areas.

Couple things:

-Could Kyle have negotiated better deals for Mitch and Auston? Yes, unquestionably.

-Did a once and a lifetime pandemic occur immediately after those deals were signed, forcing an unforeseen and completely unpredictable flat cap era? Yes

-Would those contracts have aged more appropriately if the cap were to have gone up at the rate is was predicted to pre-pandemic? yes

-Was Kyle able to adapt, and work under the new set of circumstances that he faced during and after the pandemic? yes

-Was Kyle able to achieve franchise records in pts with the roster's he assembled during and after the flat cap era? yes

-Has our lack of playoff success been due in large part to the lack of depth on our roster? No

-Is the lack of playoff success due in large part to our core 4 not showing up in big moments, particularly Mitch and Auston? yes

-Were Auston and Mitch the right horses for Kyle to hitch his wagon to? Most likely not.

-Would any other GM on the planet in Kyles situation 5 years ago, decide to move away from this young core, specifically Mitch and Auston? Would the board of directors even allowed that? No and No

-If your best players are not your best players when it matters the most, do you have a good chance at winning in the playoffs? No

Given how Mitch and Auston are very rarely our best players in the post season, and the fact that most GM's that would have been in charge these last 5 years would not have moved either of them or even been approved by the board to do so, is it fair to assume we would have had the same results no matter who was in charge? I will leave that for you to decide.

All I know is that, Kyle seemingly showed his cards at the post season presser, and said he'd be open to moving a core player. He was removed from his title days later. I am not trying to insinuate that was the only reason he was let go, but it is weird how there have been subsequent reports that Shanny has contacted the core stating his intentions to keep them in tact. I do think it is fair to say Kyle shared that same belief in the core up until this season, but something clearly changed. The hurdle they had faced for so long was now behind them, and they began a new era of a ever so slightly different variation of disappointment. But at this point we all know change is necessary. Kyle did as well.

 

[57 Years No Cup]

what did I miss? The team that failed in the playoffs is due to Kyle's inability to manage correct??? His loyalty to a core that he inherited, combined with the acquisitions he made to surround that core was ultimately the reason he failed no? One might call that assembling a roster, but who am I to judge. I don't want to put words into your mouth, I am just trying to understand your logic. I find it hard to believe he didn't assemble the roster he was managing for the last 5 seasons. You do recognize retaining assets is part of assembling a roster right?


Couple things:

-Could Kyle have negotiated better deals for Mitch and Auston? Yes, unquestionably.

-Did a once and a lifetime pandemic occur immediately after those deals were signed, forcing an unforeseen and completely unpredictable flat cap era? Yes

-Would those contracts have aged more appropriately if the cap were to have gone up at the rate is was predicted to pre-pandemic? yes

-Was Kyle able to adapt, and work under the new set of circumstances that he faced during and after the pandemic? yes

-Was Kyle able to achieve franchise records in pts with the roster's he assembled during and after the flat cap era? yes

-Has our lack of playoff success been due in large part to the lack of depth on our roster? No

-Is the lack of playoff success due in large part to our core 4 not showing up in big moments, particularly Mitch and Auston? yes

-Were Auston and Mitch the right horses for Kyle to hitch his wagon to? Most likely not.

-Would any other GM on the planet in Kyles situation 5 years ago, decide to move away from this young core, specifically Mitch and Auston? Would the board of directors even allowed that? No and No

-If your best players are not your best players when it matters the most, do you have a good chance at winning in the playoffs? No

Given how Mitch and Auston are very rarely our best players in the post season, and the fact that most GM's that would have been in charge these last 5 years would not have moved either of them or even been approved by the board to do so, is it fair to assume we would have had the same results no matter who was in charge? I will leave that for you to decide.

All I know is that, Kyle seemingly showed his cards at the post season presser, and said he'd be open to moving a core player. He was removed from his title days later. I am not trying to insinuate that was the only reason he was let go, but it is weird how there have been subsequent reports that Shanny has contacted the core stating his intentions to keep them in tact. I do think it is fair to say Kyle shared that same belief in the core up until this season, but something clearly changed. The hurdle they had faced for so long was now behind them, and they began a new era of a ever so slightly different variation of disappointment. But at this point we all know change is necessary. Kyle did as well.

You have a blind spot, I suspect purposely, as big as Jupiter. So I'll type slowly for you.

THIS. CORE. WON'T. WIN.

HE. STUCK. WITH. IT. WAY. TOO. LONG.

You have a nice day now. Your boy will be in Pittsburgh soon.

 

[yubbers]

The fact that Kyle already has teams clamoring over him and reaching out to him is a testament to his abilities as a GM. Again, this is not my opinion, this would be what the people who work in the game think of him. Not to mention the very organization he was let go from was in an alleged uproar when the news broke of his dismissal.

You guys need to remove your feelings towards the guy, and understand he is a very quality GM in this league. He wears a share of the blame for certain. But IMO his share is the smallest in relation to coaching, and the players themselves. I have never claimed Kyle did not make mistakes in his tenure. I know he's made plenty. But that doesn't even come close to scratching the surface on all the good things he accomplished. I have remained consistent in that view of him as a GM for quite some time now. It's not going to change because the team underperformed against the Panthers. The GM's job is done after the deadline, and I was more than satisfied with the construction of the roster at that time. It was worthy of a real run. We ran into a wagon, c'est la vie. It's just the way the cookie crumbles.

I have also gone on to say that he is not the only guy that could be fit to do the job for us. There are plenty of bright hockey minds in the game, and we can certainly replace one of them for another. I think it's risky to do so given Kyle's share of the blame was the smallest IMO, but if that's the direction the board wanted to go, I can live with it.

If you need proof of what a terrible and epic failure at the GM position looks like, look at Jim Benning. Who has been out of the game for over a year and a half due to his incompetence. That will not be the case for Kyle, unless he chooses to take a step back. Again, that is the hockey community that will dictate his level of competency, not me.

I don't give a shit who wants him. Many of us warned you hiring a rookie GM would piss away our AM years and here we are.

And now we're starting to geta real good look at his snakey colors. LOL. Just eat your crow.

 

[Donnie740]

what did I miss? The team that failed in the playoffs is due to Kyle's inability to manage correct??? His loyalty to a core that he inherited, combined with the acquisitions he made to surround that core was ultimately the reason he failed no? One might call that assembling a roster, but who am I to judge. I don't want to put words into your mouth, I am just trying to understand your logic. I find it hard to believe he didn't assemble the roster he was managing for the last 5 seasons. You do recognize retaining assets is part of assembling a roster right?


Couple things:

-Could Kyle have negotiated better deals for Mitch and Auston? Yes, unquestionably.

-Did a once and a lifetime pandemic occur immediately after those deals were signed, forcing an unforeseen and completely unpredictable flat cap era? Yes

-Would those contracts have aged more appropriately if the cap were to have gone up at the rate is was predicted to pre-pandemic? yes

-Was Kyle able to adapt, and work under the new set of circumstances that he faced during and after the pandemic? yes

-Was Kyle able to achieve franchise records in pts with the roster's he assembled during and after the flat cap era? yes

-Has our lack of playoff success been due in large part to the lack of depth on our roster? No

-Is the lack of playoff success due in large part to our core 4 not showing up in big moments, particularly Mitch and Auston? yes

-Were Auston and Mitch the right horses for Kyle to hitch his wagon to? Most likely not.

-Would any other GM on the planet in Kyles situation 5 years ago, decide to move away from this young core, specifically Mitch and Auston? Would the board of directors even allowed that? No and No

-If your best players are not your best players when it matters the most, do you have a good chance at winning in the playoffs? No

Given how Mitch and Auston are very rarely our best players in the post season, and the fact that most GM's that would have been in charge these last 5 years would not have moved either of them or even been approved by the board to do so, is it fair to assume we would have had the same results no matter who was in charge? I will leave that for you to decide.

All I know is that, Kyle seemingly showed his cards at the post season presser, and said he'd be open to moving a core player. He was removed from his title days later. I am not trying to insinuate that was the only reason he was let go, but it is weird how there have been subsequent reports that Shanny has contacted the core stating his intentions to keep them in tact. I do think it is fair to say Kyle shared that same belief in the core up until this season, but something clearly changed. The hurdle they had faced for so long was now behind them, and they began a new era of a ever so slightly different variation of disappointment. But at this point we all know change is necessary. Kyle did as well.

You’ve conveniently omitted four of the biggest mistakes Dubas made:

Did Dubas hire an unproven rookie coach who happened to be his good buddy from Sault Ste. Armpit? YES.

Did Dubas insist on sticking with the unproven rookie coach for five consecutive years of being badly out coached in the playoffs? YES.

Did Dubas give away a core player who was the heart and soul of the team for two worthless hacks? YES.

Did Dubas replace the core player he gave away with a career loser who has ZERO physical presence, is years older and is being paid nearly double what the core player was that he gave away? YES.

 

[BraveCanadian]

Guy walked into a dream situation with an up and coming team, a collection of stars, and tons of cap space.

Gets taken to the cleaners on all his big deals which paints him into a corner as far as cap management goes.. has to juggle to fill depth cheaply and pay to get rid of bad contracts.. then realizes his vision for the team is hopelessly soft for the playoffs and pays more future to correct that.

Team still loses, a ton of no trade clauses are kicking in for the big tickets that couldn't get it done, the cupboard is bare for a few years as far as draft picks (go because he tried to juggle his way out of the mess he made) and.. he's fired.

Grade: F.

 

[Gallagbi]

So you must be very excited about Brad Trevliving then, huh?

I mean, after all, the Maple Leafs appear to be clamouring over him. In fact, I am reading and hearing *a lot* more about the Maple Leafs interest in Trevling then I am about anyone being interested in Dubas, so he must be the unemployed GM with the most clamouring going on, too that's a real testament to his abilities as a GM.

Surely that means that Trevling is a better GM than Dubas, right?

Isnt the rumour that the Leafs are interviewing Treliving, while Pitts is waiting on a response from Dubas?

I get the point youre trying to make, and dont even disagree, but the example doesnt hold up. One is in the process, the other seems to be dictating the process

 

[FerrisRox]

The team that set the franchise record in points in 2021-22 and the runner up to that in 2022-23....? keep in mind we have a 104 year history. Of course not all of those seasons had 82 game seasons and loser points, but nonetheless.

Let me ask you: which season was more successful for the Florida Panthers?

Last year, where they won the President's Trophy with 122 points - way more than the Leafs - but then got swept out of the second round, or this year, where they had just 92 points, but are in the Stanley Cup Final?

Do you realize that the Panthers fired their head coach following the 122 point season? Why did they fire him after he had a "winning team?" By your definition, a 122 point season, which would blow away the Leafs franchise record you seem so impressed by, is a "Winning team." Why did the Panthers fire their coach and trade away their leading scorer and one of their top defenders after such an impressive triumph?

I'm confused here, please clarify. So far in this thread you have said that Kyle Dubas is obviously a good GM cause "teams are clamouring for him" so that means that Trevling, with way more buzz around him, must be an even better GM, right?

Then you told us that the Leafs having a 115 point season means Dubas built "a winning team" but the Panthers won way more, then made sweeping organizational changes, so I don't quite get your definition of "a winning team." Please explain...

Isnt the rumour that the Leafs are interviewing Treliving, while Pitts is waiting on a response from Dubas?

I get the point youre trying to make, and dont even disagree, but the example doesnt hold up. One is in the process, the other seems to be dictating the process

You know Hextall was fired over a month ago, right? Do you think maybe that might play a role in them being further along in their process?

What difference does it make anyway? Who do you see getting more coverage, rumours about Dubas or Trevling?

If it's Trevling - and it clearly is - but the OP's definition, that somehow - idiotically - is supposed to prove that Trevling is an outstanding General Manager.

 

[Gallagbi]

You know Hextall was fired over a month ago, right? Do you think maybe that might play a role in them being further along in their process?

What difference does it make anyway? Who do you see getting more coverage, rumours about Dubas or Trevling?

If it's Trevling - and it clearly is - but the OP's definition, that somehow - idiotically - is supposed to prove that Trevling is an outstanding General Manager.

I think youre misunderstanding

Its not the fact Dubas is in a further along process, its the impact hes had on it.

Either way, i think its a stupid way to "rank" and i dont think the noise around Treliving has been all that similar but Im looking at impact on process and not counting volume of reports (which still seems very similar and like theres more Dubas coverage)

Also - what drives an opposing fan to lurk on another board like this?

 

[Larcos_Unal]

Kyle is a quality GM who was for some strange reason rushed into the role at the age of 32. His first couple of years were all about speed and skill and this team got pushed around. Only towards the last couple of seasons did he start to show the value of physicality on the roster.

This again goes back to the 'learning on the job' part of having a guy with zero experience taking the reins of an incredibly skilled, young core and wasting those years. Never mind putting a rookie Head Coach behind the bench who routinely got out coached in the playoffs and was also, 'learning on the job'.

This franchise is too big to serve as a playground for amateur hour.

 

[usernamezrhardtodo]

Do you actually think Kyle would table a counter offer to Shanny that reportedly nearly doubled his financial compensation if he wasn't at the very least aware of the interest he had leaguewide??

C'mon guys, it's fine to have a different opinion on him. If you don't think he is the guy for the job, I can totally respect that. But you are flat out wrong if you think he is a complete failure. Those guys don't get employed in the same roles immediately after their dismissals. To put it in perspective, JFJ was relieved of his GM job in 2008. He has not received a GM position since. People don't forget epic failures.

In contrast, Bruce Cassidy, his tenure as the Bruins coach would be every bit as much of a failure as Kyle's tenure as GM. Bruce was then immediately hired into a similar role and is 1 game away from the SCF.

Kyle will be successful in this league, and he will be employed as a GM for a long time. He has shown he is more than capable of assembling a winning team

I think he had been better as a GM in the last few years and realized that his thesis on building a winner was exposed somewhat by the results over the last few years. Did he learn from his mistakes? Probably...the issue is that he never really touched the source of his problems (core 4) and kept trying to tinker around them instead of realizing that it just wasn't going to work.

If the core 4 end up staying this year...then you know it wasn't Dubas but Shanny that didn't want to give up any of the "talent" that needed to be moved. I am slowly coming around to the idea that it was Shanny who blocked any big moves with the core and that hamstrung him. He still made a few bad deals along the way...but they were getting less and less as is tenure evolved.

I also think he wouldn't be the guy to fix this because it would require wholesale changes and he only traded with a select few teams, which would have been extremely limiting. There is a reason he dealt with 5 teams for the most part and kept hunting down ex-Soo players. He was backed into a corner somewhat and just sought players and people he was comfortable with. That is not exactly a good sign. It means you are either scared of the unknown or he kept thinking the rest of the league was going to rip him off in a trade.