Around the League - 2024-2025

BallardEra

Leafs&Caps Since 1982™
Dec 26, 2017
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East York, Ontario
I think two things can be true in that Dubas hasn't done a great job with PITT but also that most likely very few gm's would have, with it's ageing core and limited asset base.
I agree.

He was pretty much told that there would not be a rebuild when he took the job.

The problem however is that his "retool" hasn't done much to help as well.
 
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ULF_55

Moderator
Feb 27, 2002
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Wow. That Pens depth is horrible.

They've pretty much loaded up one line and then have Lars Eller as their 2C.

View attachment 927770

These guys would fit right in with that team:
1 goal between these 5 players.

1731080831306.png
 

weems

Registered User
Jul 3, 2008
18,552
12,644
Anyone think he'd have permission to move on from Crosby and Malkin?

Guess Crosby would rather stay put then go to a contender.

Comfortable.

I am pretty shocked if Crosby just stays there and continues to play on a team with no chance.

You'd think he'd want to be dealt to a contender, so he could possibly grab 1 more cup to add to his legacy.
 

BallardEra

Leafs&Caps Since 1982™
Dec 26, 2017
7,927
12,831
East York, Ontario
Anyone think he'd have permission to move on from Crosby and Malkin?

Guess Crosby would rather stay put then go to a contender.

Comfortable.
I think part of Crosby coming back was making sure that Malkin, Letang and Sullivan were all back.

I think Sid has decided to either sink or swim with the team.

Only way he gets moved is if he asks to be traded.
 

All Mod Cons

Registered User
Sep 7, 2018
11,133
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As I am sure Dubas saw it coming. If you don't think his mandate was to suck as much blood out of the stone as possible, I think that is being naive.
If he could achieve that then fair play. But he's doing neither. Just making stupid decision after stupid decision. He's done it his whole career.

Sometimes he does something decent though, like every other GM.
 

BertCorbeau

F*ck cancer - RIP Fugu and Buffaloed
Jan 6, 2012
56,380
38,712
Simcoe County
I think two things can be true in that Dubas hasn't done a great job with PITT but also that most likely very few gm's would have, with it's ageing core and limited asset base.

Agree that it was a situation with limited flexible. Ownership and Sid still want to win. But Dubas' bigger gambles have hurt them:

Dubas being Dubas and going after Karlsson was the start of him creating cap issues which prevented any realistic chance of re-upping Guentzel who was their youngest core guy

Doubling down on Jarry is another big gamble that’s flopped.

Then he's spent a lot on mediocre depth, which is a big issue with that group.
 

ULF_55

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Feb 27, 2002
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If he could achieve that then fair play. But he's doing neither. Just making stupid decision after stupid decision. He's done it his whole career.

Sometimes he does something decent though, like every other GM.

Will be interesting to see if he tries to improve their team with the 26 picks he has over the next 3 years.

Leafs have 16.

Probably depends on what Crosby says.
 

Fogelhund

Registered User
Sep 15, 2007
23,234
27,351
Duba's biggest mistake with Pittsburgh, was going there in the first place. It's a franchise on the decline, nobody was going to make them competitive. It's just bad judgement. There were likely going to be a few jobs open up, with franchises on the way up, which would have been better.
 

weems

Registered User
Jul 3, 2008
18,552
12,644
Agree that it was a situation with limited flexible. Ownership and Sid still want to win. But Dubas' bigger gambles have hurt them:

Dubas being Dubas and going after Karlsson was the start of him creating cap issues which prevented any realistic chance of re-upping Guentzel who was their youngest core guy

Doubling down on Jarry is another big gamble that’s flopped.

Then he's spent a lot on mediocre depth, which is a big issue with that group.

Most GM's probably saw it as a job that, ya if everything hit you could possibly turn it around and become a good playoff team but more then likely you'd be a bubble team that misses but you then get to be the architect of the rebuild.
 
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Voodoo Child

Registered User
Jun 16, 2009
6,485
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There's no way in hell Dubas has even a fraction of Crosby's power level in Pittsburgh.

And he's absolutely earned it, as have Malkin and Letang.

The price paid for Karlsson was too high, a 1st (Konsta Helenius), a 2nd next year and a few journeyman types - but again, you can sort of see how it looked like the right move at the time.

Dubas again shows his inability to take control and his constant deference to others. I don't like nü-speak 'evopsych guys!' lingo, but he's the definition of a beta male.

I unironically think he could be very good as a director of scouting or maybe an AGM, but as the top guy?

bXBfFHo.gif


==

On an unrelated note, what's the deal with this?

Screenshot_20241108_114525_Samsung Internet.jpg
 
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TMLBlueandWhite

Registered User
Feb 2, 2023
1,959
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I don't understand why players like Crosby do this.

There's a name for people like these. They're called Clingons. They just won't let go until it's way past anything good ever happening again.

If it was ever good in the first place.

One thing about Matthews short term deal is that it also means he can bolt to another team if he gives up on this one. I'm already fed up with inept management and I'm only a fan. I can imagine how the greatest Leafs player of all time must feel.

Then again he earns $13.5M a year.

If my employer made me the highest paid person in the world for my job I wouldn't have much incentive to leave either. I'd hang around trying to soak them for every last dollar I could. Even if I knew it was probably best for everyone involved to go their own separate ways.

Exactly like Crosby is doing right now with the Penguins.
 

All Mod Cons

Registered User
Sep 7, 2018
11,133
11,970
Will be interesting to see if he tries to improve their team with the 26 picks he has over the next 3 years.

Leafs have 16.

Probably depends on what Crosby says.
Agreed. Kyle is never allowed to do what Kyle wants. It's plagued his whole career. It'll be up to someone else and he just plods through.

However, if he does keep the picks and drafts, given his history, Pittsburgh will have a lot of prospects who'll destroy junior and struggle to make an impact in the NHL.

Duba's biggest mistake with Pittsburgh, was going there in the first place. It's a franchise on the decline, nobody was going to make them competitive. It's just bad judgement. There were likely going to be a few jobs open up, with franchises on the way up, which would have been better.
You won't find him popping up anywhere if he leaves the Leafs.
 

thewave

Registered User
Jun 17, 2011
41,878
12,279
Agreed. Kyle is never allowed to do what Kyle wants. It's plagued his whole career. It'll be up to someone else and he just plods through.

However, if he does keep the picks and drafts, given his history, Pittsburgh will have a lot of prospects who'll destroy junior and struggle to make an impact in the NHL.


You won't find him popping up anywhere if he leaves the Leafs.

This will be his last GMship
 
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ULF_55

Moderator
Feb 27, 2002
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Agreed. Kyle is never allowed to do what Kyle wants. It's plagued his whole career. It'll be up to someone else and he just plods through.

However, if he does keep the picks and drafts, given his history, Pittsburgh will have a lot of prospects who'll destroy junior and struggle to make an impact in the NHL.


You won't find him popping up anywhere if he leaves the Leafs.

Did Dubas take the scouring staff with him?

He tried to get full authority in Toronto and that didn't go over well with Shanahan. If stories are true Dubas wanted to move on from player(s) but didn't have that authority.

He has a 7 year contract, Crosby won't be there for 7 years as a player.

Be interesting to see if Crosby sticks around like Mario did, or if he move on to his own challenges?
 

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