End of Season Pressers (Monday May 15)

[centipede2233]

I think we'll know if he's back before the weekend.

Tbh, the dubas presser was telling to me he is not coming back. Shanahan wasn’t with him, whereas shanahan was with dubas in the 2022 end of season presser. And dubas said nothing that indicated he was coming back, like no “we will work out the details” just a sob story how it’s taken a toll on his family. Dubas is 100% bailing. This is kind of like the Alex anthopolous situation. Dubas shot his shot, realizes his vision hasn’t and won’t work. And I’ll even go as far as dubas approaching matthews recently and said something to the lines of “Austin, before I sign my extension , i need you to be frank with me. I won’t say anything to anyone, but I gave you the contract you wanted, are you going to resign in Toronto”, and when Auston says “well when I first signed the 5 yr contract I had intentions to resign when it is up and I said that I would to you, but things change, and so I’m likely not resigning then resigning here”, which means dubas is bailing. Dubas doesn’t want to be the gm when he a) has to trade matthews for what will likely be an underwelming return or b) have him walk. Both scenarios makes dubas and his wife would be public enemy #1. i might be wrong, it’s just my opinion, but I don’t think so.

 

[Kiwi]

A huge distraction for whom?

The entire organization

Instead of either getting ready for the off-season or finding our new GM were waiting on Dubas to make up his mind on what he wants to do

He hasn't been successful enough to be given this kind of treatment and he doesn't deserve it

 

[Leaf Fans]

The entire organization

Instead of either getting ready for the off-season or finding our new GM were waiting on Dubas to make up his mind on what he wants to do

He hasn't been successful enough to be given this kind of treatment and he doesn't deserve it

They might have given Dubas time. Obviously, there is a limit to the time. I don't think the organization sees it as a distraction. It might be that it is Shannahan who has yet to make a decision and Dubas is on the ropes. It is some fans and some media who are Dubas watch.

 

[Kiwi]

From the medias. lol

For all we know, Dubas could be speaking with AM, Willie(maybe not him due to being in WC) and others about their new contracts.

For some reason, fans just want stuff to happen but they often takes time.
If I am the team, even if I have all the contracts(AM, Willie, Schenn, Acciari, Sammy, Kampf, Benn, Mete....) signed, sealed and delivered, I will make the announcement one or two at a time, just to keep the TO medias busy so they don't start writing their narratives as inside source or news.

He doesn't even know if he wants the job so there's no way he's already setting up for the off-season and even if he was and he either walks or gets **** canned the new GM is going to want his people and process in place not Dubas's

 

[Kiwi]

They have given Dubas time. Obviously, there is a limit to the time. I don't think the orgaization sees it as a distraction. It is some fans and some media who are Dubas watch.

Of course it's a distraction, they would be getting plans set for the off-season right now if they knew and if it's a new GM it's going to be even longer

He's had half a decade as GM and a full decade in the organization, he's failed

Sack him

 

[Gabriel426]

He doesn't even know if he wants the job so there's no way he's already setting up for the off-season and even if he was and he either walks or gets **** canned the new GM is going to want his people and process in place not Dubas's

The playoffs only ended last Friday, which was 5 days ago. If the boys actually scored a few more goals, they would either be playing or got eliminated on last night on Game 7.

 

[Gabriel426]

Tbh, the dubas presser was telling to me he is not coming back. Shanahan wasn’t with him, whereas shanahan was with dubas in the 2022 end of season presser. And dubas said nothing that indicated he was coming back, like no “we will work out the details” just a sob story how it’s taken a toll on his family. Dubas is 100% bailing. This is kind of like the Alex anthopolous situation. Dubas shot his shot, realizes his vision hasn’t and won’t work. And I’ll even go as far as dubas approaching matthews recently and said something to the lines of “Austin, before I sign my extension , i need you to be frank with me. I won’t say anything to anyone, but I gave you the contract you wanted, are you going to resign in Toronto”, and when Auston says “well when I first signed the 5 yr contract I had intentions to resign when it is up and I said that I would to you, but things change, and so I’m likely not resigning then resigning here”, which means dubas is bailing. Dubas doesn’t want to be the gm when he a) has to trade matthews for what will likely be an underwelming return or b) have him walk. Both scenarios makes dubas and his wife would be public enemy #1. i might be wrong, it’s just my opinion, but I don’t think so.

That’s such a doom view.

Personally, just take Dubas words that he wants to talk to his family and before committing.

It is not the end of the World if he leaves or even AM leaves or it won’t be instant Cup Winner if both of them sign.

 

[centipede2233]

That’s such a doom view.

Personally, just take Dubas words that he wants to talk to his family and before committing.

It is not the end of the World if he leaves or even AM leaves or it won’t be instant Cup Winner if both of them sign.

Just a scenario I think happened. In any event, I’d like dubas to move on. hurricane dubie has done its destruction and like all hurricanes, dubies tenure will come to an end

 

[Leaf Fans]

Of course it's a distraction, they would be getting plans set for the off-season right now if they knew and if it's a new GM it's going to be even longer

He's had half a decade as GM and a full decade in the organization, he's failed

Sack him

It doesn't appear to be a distraction to the team. Shanahan has yet to speak,

 

[francis246]

This is Exhibit A of why I think he should have kept that info for himself. What his private discussions are like that enable him to commit to a job or not. That shouldn't be for our consumption. Either you stay on or don't we don't need the details.

I understand that, becomes more of a distraction in this market. I think Dubas put it best. That’s who he is. He’s honest to a fault. I personally don’t think it’s that big of a deal. But I can understand how it can create doubt for those up top.

 

[hockeywiz542]

Nick Kypreos: The Maple Leafs opened the door for Kyle Dubas to return. Why both should think twice

If Dubas is suffering from burnout he should take time to address those important challenges and not commit to the contract extension Leafs offered.

www.thestar.com

When Dubas finally took the podium following Keefe, he gave an honest, public reflection of himself and instead of providing answers on his future, raised way more questions when he announced that he was not ready to fully commit to returning.

No one — from the media to the MLSE board to Shanahan — anticipated hearing Dubas’s spectacular indecision.

Pressure can come from many different directions and there’s no doubting the emotion he showed at the media conference was real.

Dubas was distraught.

“It’s been a taxing year on them and that’s very important to me,” he said referring to his wife and children. “My family is a hugely important partner in what I do. So, for me to commit without having a fuller understanding of what this year took on them is probably unfair of me to answer.”

Compared to when I played, society is more aware and understanding of mental health and MLSE, at the corporate level, has bought in. Their financial commitment in the last five years has given players, staff and their families the best opportunity to succeed outside of the game.

Medical advisers, psychologists, analytics, nutritionists, and even sleep disorder specialists have a place within the organization. MLSE have become the envy of the league when it comes to having established sports science departments and their commitment to inclusion and diversity. No stone was left unturned when it came to establishing a team who could help players and staff find success and stability.

And all those departments the billion-dollar empire has in place were established to alleviate the exact external pressures Dubas felt Monday — to help him keep his eye on the prize: winning.

Now there are those who feel that the GM, who’s finished five seasons with the Leafs, deserves time and privacy to take care of matters far more important than chasing a Stanley Cup.

But let’s be clear: if Dubas is suffering from burnout at age 37 then he should take the time to address those important challenges and not commit to signing the contract extension he has been offered.

And from MLSE’s standpoint, with all we now know, is he truly the right person to lead this group going forward?

..........

Some insiders believe the contract extension Dubas has been sitting on is worth roughly $4 million annually and includes access to the company jet ...

 

[horner]

Most of us have noticed that for awhile iam glad that the media is finally coming out and saying it
I have always thought that the core 4 think that can turn it up whenever they want . If it doesn't work we didn't get the bounces .
How many games over the yrs did they suck for a period and a half and then turn it on and win.
Culture

I think they should have made changes a yr or 2 ago .
We always changed the bottom 6
Time to change up the top 6

 

[rumman]

The entire organization

Instead of either getting ready for the off-season or finding our new GM were waiting on Dubas to make up his mind on what he wants to do

He hasn't been successful enough to be given this kind of treatment and he doesn't deserve it

He’s acting like a spoiled brat, ownership’s treating him like a entitled only child.………

 

[AllHeartNoSkill]

No one — from the media to the MLSE board to Shanahan — anticipated hearing Dubas’s spectacular indecision.

This is so bizarre. If he was struggling with the pressure, his employers deserved to find out in a manner better than seeing it on TV. The fact that it didn’t come up until there were dozens of cameras around… it’s hard not to be a little skeptical.

 

[ACC1224]

He doesn't even know if he wants the job so there's no way he's already setting up for the off-season and even if he was and he either walks or gets **** canned the new GM is going to want his people and process in place not Dubas's

If he was being canned it would have happened by now and we wouldn’t be waiting on his decision.
You would think he would have wrapped up his conversation with his wife by now though.

 

[Amadeus]

I can't say for certain where the family stuff came from. Could be the truth but also could be a tactic by Dubas to gain some sympathy. He's a smart dude overall.

I do believe this team needs a change though from a leadership and coaching perspective. Dubas has a strong winning percentage due to inheriting a core of good players and signing JT to it. His trades have been average. His drafting has been subpar so far except for Knies.

A change in leadership is needed and I wonder if we can pry someone like Doug Armstrong from St. Louis. This team needs a jolt to make them realize their performances will lead to change.

 

[Trapper]

He’s acting like a spoiled brat, ownership’s treating him like a entitled only child.………

This entire organization seems to have that issue, from managers to players. Hence the situation they are in.
I’m starting to think it needs an entire cleansing.
If mental health/family is an issue, find a job within the NHL that is low profile/small market. This place isn’t for everyone. There is no shame in admitting it’s too much or it’s time to move.

 

[57 Years No Cup]

That CJ podcast is a huge indictment on this team and the program we're running here

The more I hear the more I think it's best if Dubas leaves and we deal a core piece. This culture is rotten

 

[81Leafs50]

Yes because only in Toronto that happens
They're millionaires who choose to play a sport. Suck it up and perform. That's all the fans ask.

you dont put it a quarter of the effort at work that these guys do in a 3 game in 4 nights regular season week. Talk is cheap when you are on the sidelines.

 

[justashadowof]

Most of us have noticed that for awhile iam glad that the media is finally coming out and saying it
I have always thought that the core 4 think that can turn it up whenever they want . If it doesn't work we didn't get the bounces .
How many games over the yrs did they suck for a period and a half and then turn it on and win.
Culture

I think they should have made changes a yr or 2 ago .
We always changed the bottom 6
Time to change up the top 6

I'm perfectly fine with a team that will easily qualify for the playoffs doing this often during the regular season. It should never happen in playoff hockey. And by extension it should never happen during rivalry games (as trial runs for playoff hockey) during the regular season regardless of where the opponent is in the standings.

 

[81Leafs50]

In fairness we dont know if anything the fans did made it personal for Dubas.

Imagine living in a hockey mad town. Your wife goes to the grocery store and she hears her husband being talked about. Imagine the online nonsense that your friends and family see. Sportsnet, TSN talking about your performance nightly. It goes deeper than that. but you get the point.

 

[rumman]

This entire organization seems to have that issue, from managers to players. Hence the situation they are in.
I’m starting to think it needs an entire cleansing.
If mental health/family is an issue, find a job within the NHL that is low profile/small market. This place isn’t for everyone. There is no shame in admitting it’s too much or it’s time to move.

Starting to think? Come on now, we all know this team has been a model of dysfunction since Conn Smyth sold it to Ballard, his son, and John Bassett. The difference is that before we thought the lunatics were running the asylum, now we know they are. Dubas airing his family issues to the media for what reason? To gain sympathy? To gain leverage with the team? It’s pathetic. Ownership needs to accept that the Shanaplan was a bust, the analytics based theory was a failure, experience trumps ignorance, and players do not run the show, at least not on a successful team.……..

 

[Tak7]

I can't say for certain where the family stuff came from. Could be the truth but also could be a tactic by Dubas to gain some sympathy. He's a smart dude overall.

Everyone can interpret things anyway they like, and that diversity of thought is what makes any community super fascinating and interesting.

For me personally though - I'm struggling with how anyone can view the Dubas-family stuff as anything other than completely & totally genuine.

That was raw, and real, and it's frustrating to see so many people second guessing it.

The guy doesn't need sympathy. Sympathy isn't currency or leverage you can bring into a negotiation.

 

[81Leafs50]

This has Tavares vibes when he was with the Isles.

Also, how much cap should be invested in Matthews? I am not comfortable paying him anything more than 12 AAV for 8 years.

We need better roster construction and Matthews not taking a huge piece of the pie is the start.

If the NHL season starts and AM doesn't have a contract then this would be the case. But until AM shows up to training camp without a contract extension you are just being insecure.

I’ll believe it when the extension is announced.

It better be something reasonable or else we’re gonna be further stuck in purgatory for the foreseeable future.

Matthews has always been consistent. He will sign 5 year deals until retirement. He will be a Maple Leaf for life. ELC 18-21. 21-26. 26-31. 31-36.

 

[rumman]

If he was being canned it would have happened by now and we wouldn’t be waiting on his decision.
You would think he would have wrapped up his conversation with his wife by now though.

Probably running the corsi numbers on how the family talk panned out……..