Athletic: Dubas Job on the Line this Season (contract expiring after this season)

[Trapper]

Apparently none of them have to win, every time we lose a playoff series it's apparently the fault of our GM. Not sure if he's poisoning the players somehow before crucial games or he has some other mysterious methods of sabotaging his own team, but I'm told Dubas is always to blame for everything.

What happens when we don't win is nothing it seems. The players eventually move on and win cups elsewhere and we keep losing no matter who our players are.

Not sure if I'm doing this right, just going by what I'm told here every day for the last several months. Dubas is the problem, just fire him and success is right around the corner.

He’s not but he is because he’s the puppet master and 1 man. Right or wrong, that’s the way it is. If we lose in the 1st round this year, what do you do? Trade them all? The core is bulletproof. If we can’t win as a core how do you get them to win?
Change is a progression right? The coach, the staff, the depth, the GM and finally the players. An order to things. That’s why his contract hasn’t been extended. And it still doesn’t mean success with a new GM if the problem lies with the core and salary structure as well.

 

[Gary Nylund]

He’s not but he is because he’s the puppet master and 1 man. Right or wrong, that’s the way it is. If we lose in the 1st round this year, what do you do? Trade them all? The core is bulletproof. If we can’t win as a core how do you get them to win?
Change is a progression right? The coach, the staff, the depth, the GM and finally the players. An order to things. That’s why his contract hasn’t been extended. And it still doesn’t mean success with a new GM if the problem lies with the core and salary structure as well.

You mean if we fire Dubas, success is not guaranteed?

 

[Trapper]

You mean if we fire Dubas, success is not guaranteed?

That’s right
People might actually have to admit the core is responsible as well. Oh no.
And if Dubas stays, he might have to admit it.
All in all, a pivotal year for sure.

 

[Gary Nylund]

That’s right
People might actually have to admit the core is responsible as well. Oh no.
And if Dubas stays, he might have to admit it.
All in all, a pivotal year for sure.

Yeah I think 99.9% of us would agree that it is a pivotal year and something will have to change. Hopefully the change is that we have some playoff success finally (and more than just one series win) and if that doesn't happen, then some faces have to change be it players, coaches or higher-ups.

 

[Stamkos4life]

again, he will get another shot purely based on the lack of intelligent gm's in the league. There arent many. The team hasnt had playoff success but the team is performing well enough for the RS and lots of owners would take that any day of the week.

I have my doubts.

The goal is to win the cup, not be a good regular season team.

When dubas took over, we had just finished tied for 6th in the regular season but had lost twice in a row in the PO.

Since then we have finished 7th, 13th, tied for 5th and 4th and four first round (1 qualifier) losses

So in four years, dubas has made us a slightly better RS team but no better in the PO.

Every single gm would kill for the opportunity dubas was given.

Remember John Chayka? I'm sure lots thought this young, analytical gm would get hired somewhere else but that hasn't been the case.

 

[The Masters]

I have my doubts.

The goal is to win the cup, not be a good regular season team.

When dubas took over, we had just finished tied for 6th in the regular season but had lost twice in a row in the PO.

Since then we have finished 7th, 13th, tied for 5th and 4th and four first round (1 qualifier) losses

So in four years, dubas has made us a slightly better RS team but no better in the PO.

Every single gm would kill for the opportunity dubas was given.

Remember John Chayka? I'm sure lots thought this young, analytical gm would get hired somewhere else but that hasn't been the case.

John Chayka didnt do anything and had a winning percentage below 40% lol Dont compare the two.

You may have your doubts but the proof is there for regular season winning and any owner would gladly take that with the current market place of nhl gm's.

 

[darrylsittler27]

Top-5 record in the league since Dubas took over.

Drafting so far conpared to other top 10 teams last year:

View attachment 589057

I have seen 20th overall which is where I put him.

 

[SeaOfBlue]

John Chayka didnt do anything and had a winning percentage below 40% lol Dont compare the two.

You may have your doubts but the proof is there for regular season winning and any owner would gladly take that with the current market place of nhl gm's.

Other than both being business kids who value hockey analytics more than the old dinosaurs, neither are remotely the same as one another.

Dubas had extensive management experience before becoming the Leafs GM. Chayka was a 26 year old kid who had zero prior experience and obviously sold Arizona management on his Stathletes Kool-Aid.

Although only in hockey would these guys be considered "data" or "analytics" people because most other guys are stuck in the last century. In most other sports/industries, they would be run-of-the-mill in terms of how they use data and analytics... And I doubt they actually know how to manipulate data or build models or anything like that.

 

[Menzinger]

Uh it is in a downward spiral though. No guarantees matthews resigns, same with nylander. Taveras and muzzin are not getting younger. The goaltending is a continued carousel of misfits. You have a rookie coach np who has lost to the worse playoff seeded teams in Columbus and Montreal in back to back years. Yeah, your right, good times ahead!

Though to be fair, this applies to literally every teams core guys. Like I'm sure Oilers fans aren't exactly resting easy about McDavids long term prospects with the team for example

 

[centipede2233]

Though to be fair, this applies to literally every teams core guys. Like I'm sure Oilers fans aren't exactly resting easy about McDavids long term prospects with the team for example

Mcdavid is a) Canadian playing in a Canadian market (let’s not pretend gaudreau and Tkachuk just happened) and b) Mcdavid signed an 8 yr contract with 4 more years to go.

 

[Leaf Fans]

Mcdavid is a) Canadian playing in a Canadian market (let’s not pretend gaudreau and Tkachuk just happened) and b) Mcdavid signed an 8 yr contract with 4 more years to go.

Yup summer 2026!

 

[centipede2233]

Yup summer 2026!

What I think happens is matthews bolts for the USA and mcdavid comes home and wins a cup in a leaf jersey.

 

[Leaf Fans]

What I think happens is matthews bolts for the USA and mcdavid comes home and wins a cup in a leaf jersey.

That is a possibility.

 

[centipede2233]

That is a possibility.

The problem for the leafs is once covid happened their cup hopes vanished. They needed the cap to continually to go up at the rate it was to make those big boy caphits more managable. They will have to start again. Matthews won’t be giving a discount and I say move on from him. Mcdavid will leave some money off the table.

 

[Leaf Fans]

The problem for the leafs is once covid happened their cup hopes vanished. They needed the cap to continually to go up at the rate it was to make those big boy caphits more managable. They will have to start again. Matthews won’t be giving a discount and I say move on from him. Mcdavid will leave some money off the table.

I don't agree with you, but I don't know all the facts, so like I mentioned before, it is possible.

 

[Amadeus]

Okay I think I've settled on this for myself. I want Dubas re-signed. I just don't think anyone smarter is out there and he's overall done a great job in keeping the team competitive while developing our farm system to being respectable despite not a lot of high picks.

 

[DarkKnight]

Okay I think I've settled on this for myself. I want Dubas re-signed. I just don't think anyone smarter is out there and he's overall done a great job in keeping the team competitive while developing our farm system to being respectable despite not a lot of high picks.

Re-sign him after the season if he delivers. The goalie he signed wanted to prove himself on a short deal, and if he succeeds he will be rewarded. Why should a GM who’s accomplished exactly Jack squat so far deserve better? Dubas believes in himself, this team, so let’s see what happens.

I fail to see why the GM, his coach and this squad aren’t on the clock this year. If we go out first round Dubas is gone, so why sign him now?

 

[Menzinger]

Mcdavid is a) Canadian playing in a Canadian market (let’s not pretend gaudreau and Tkachuk just happened) and b) Mcdavid signed an 8 yr contract with 4 more years to go.

And the Leafs guys are all still under contract for multiple years themselves at this point. So I just don't get the critique regarding contracts. It's not an issue for the team at the moment.

As for Johnny Hockey/Tkachuk stuff this summer, it ultimately looked like a couple teammates really didn't like playing in Calgary. Don't necessarily think that has a ton of relevance for the Leafs.

The Leafs contract situation is ultimately no different than any other team - a constant cycle of guys needing new deals eventually or they leave the team one way or the other.

 

[Stamkos4life]

John Chayka didnt do anything and had a winning percentage below 40% lol Dont compare the two.

You may have your doubts but the proof is there for regular season winning and any owner would gladly take that with the current market place of nhl gm's.

What team did Chayka inherit? A 105 point team with a matthews, marner and Nylander level talents and loads of cap space all while being on a team that attracts ufas?

If dubas took over the coyotes in 2016 after they just had a 78 point season with their best players being oel and max domi, I don't think he would have a good record either.

In fact, you give chayka the team dubas inherited and I'd bet we have at least one measly series win by now.

The fact is that dubas inherited one of the best cores I've ever seen and yet has zero playoff success after 4 years. If dubas has accomplished this little with the kind of head start he got, there's very little hope with him taking over a bottom team.

 

[Maple Leaf]

Not a bad year to tank draft unload budas

 

[Stamkos4life]

When we lose in the first round;

Dubas fan boys: it's the players fault, not dubas'!

Everyone else: who put those players in those positions? Who signed or traded for them? Who hired a rookie coach? Maybe we should hold the person who is in charge accountable?

Dubas fan boys: no! You aren't a real leaf fan if you don't like dubas *(legitimately been told this more than once)*. It's the players!

 

[The Masters]

What team did Chayka inherit? A 105 point team with a matthews, marner and Nylander level talents and loads of cap space all while being on a team that attracts ufas?

If dubas took over the coyotes in 2016 after they just had a 78 point season with their best players being oel and max domi, I don't think he would have a good record either.

In fact, you give chayka the team dubas inherited and I'd bet we have at least one measly series win by now.

The fact is that dubas inherited one of the best cores I've ever seen and yet has zero playoff success after 4 years. If dubas has accomplished this little with the kind of head start he got, there's very little hope with him taking over a bottom team.

You're just assuming on things now. We get it you dont like Dubas but the body of work is there in the regular season. Chayka doesn't even come close and you are only comparing the two because they are young with analytical backgrounds. Search deeper. The fact is Dubas has had strong regular seasons. Any owner would want that right now and he would get at minimum an AGM if let go.

 

[Dekes For Days]

First 4 seasons as GM...

Dubas
Regular Season:
0.643 PT%
54.0 xGF%
54.0 GF%

Playoffs:
0.423 PT%
50.8 xGF%
48.9 GF%

Sakic
Regular season:
0.480 PT%
45.1 xGF%
46.3 GF%

Playoffs:
0.333 PT%
40.2 xGF%
40.5 GF%

Armstrong
Regular Season:
0.624 PT%
52.0 xGF%
54.0 GF%

Playoffs:
0.381 PT%
51.4 xGF%
44.4 GF%

Clearly none of these GMs will ever win a cup.

 

[ALine]

If a new GM is hired after this season, how long do I have to wait until I can give him any sort of credit?

Do we need to clear out all Dubas signings and draft picks?
What about the core players Dubas has re-signed and stuck with despite calls for major shake ups. If a new GM sticks with some or all of this core and finds success are we allowed to enjoy?
Is any success tainted if any parts of the team are deemed to be inherited?

I need the record to be set straight. These are confusing times, indeed. And a challenging, brave new world coming for some.

 

[hotpaws]

If a new GM is hired after this season, how long do I have to wait until I can give him any sort of credit?

Do we need to clear out all Dubas signings and draft picks?
What about the core players Dubas has re-signed and stuck with despite calls for major shake ups. If a new GM sticks with some or all of this core and finds success are we allowed to enjoy?
Is any success tainted if any parts of the team are deemed to be inherited?

I need the record to be set straight. These are confusing times, indeed. And a challenging, brave new world coming for some.

you can give credit to whoever you like , if you believe another GM wouldn't have had success taking over a team with Mathews/Marner/Nylander/Kadri/Rielly/Andy plus a few other solid depth pieces like Brown/Hyman then your entitled to it