Kyle Dubas discussion

[Ports]

Dubas on TSN Overdrive

• On local players returning home: Says if a player was younger, would feel the need to warn them of all the attention from family and friends. The older players, not so much. Says Mark has a family, who will join him in Toronto, which helps. Says team has plenty of support available, including players like Spezza & Tavares, that can help relate to coming home and playing, if Giordano requires guidance. Doesn't think he will need it.
• On Gio's fit: Lots of high quality game left in him. Such a smart player. Wins puck battles, moves puck to forwards quickly. Always has his head up. Can play against good players and protects middle of the rink really well. Extremely high competitive level. Quiet leader, not afraid to speak up - something they've tried to continually bring in over the years. Also thinks it's not overbearing leadership style, which allows Auston and Mitch and other younger players to grow in the room
• On the lineup moving forward: Says he likes that all minutes / assignments aren't restricted to one pair. Says that even though their top 4 are all on paper left handed, says they have flexibility on whether those players can play on the left or right. Also think that the Liljegren and Lyubushkin, righties, can compliment those 4 as well. Likes the idea of having 1 of those 4 (Rielly, Brodie, Muzzin, Gio) on the ice at all times is exciting.
• On no goalie upgrades: Says he understands angst at the goalie position. Says that one thing that gives him great confidence with Campbell, is repeated ability at all levels of hockey, of finding his game when things haven't gone well. Has good ability to stabilize his game and get back into the right direction. Thinks injury rehab will do him good - allows him to focus on development of his game, rather than the schedule or conserving energy for the coming games. Expects Campbell to get back to the .910-.915 mark.
• On Mrazek: has had stretches of tough games in his career, and has shown continued ability to bounce back and find his game. Encouraged by how hard Petr is working lately in the gym, practice, and with goalie coaches. Thinks its important to give both goaltenders the resources to find their game and confidence.
• On Seteri: tried to get him through waivers, but once he was claimed, decided best option was to put all trust on what they already have. Says they knew he wasn't going to clear waivers early today after speaking to their agent.
• On Mrazek waivers: he will come back to the NHL team with 1 of the team's 4 recalls today. Was a move purely for extra cap space flexibility. Players with higher dollar unlikely to get claimed at this time of year, and didn't think some of the other options would make it through. Says it was tough to do, and that he never wants to do that to anyone, but they did it for cap purposes.
• On handling players who are struggling: Always wants to use the tools and resources to help players find their games. Didn't want to put a player in that waiver position again, but felt it was necessary to preserve cap space and roster space. Says they spoke with Mrazek and his agent, who they have a great relationship with. Happy he got through and remains a member of the team.
• On how much roster maneuverability they have left + college players: You get 4 recalls. They are using 1 on Mrazek today. The other roster formations up front, will be dictated by injury situations that come up over the next few weeks. College situation more complex, as Knies and Abrusseze are still playing in NCAA Tournament this weekend. Haven't discussed with either of them about the plan after the tourny - want them to focus on enjoying the tournament and hopefully making the Frozen Four.
• On how they've viewed Tavares / Nylander games lately: thinks the evaluation of both of those players is unfairly being compared to the Bunting - Matthews - Marner line. Still think they are producing at a very high level. Both at near a PPG over last stretch. Feels they are very fortunate to have them both, and praises both of them for how they always respond when the heat picks up. Also reserves praise for the way Nylander played in the playoffs last year. Thinks his calm, stoic energy can often be used against him but he views it as a great asset in this market. Think Tavares feels he has a lot to prove this year given the injury last year, and says he's really happy with what they are getting from the pair of them.
• On the Kase injury: Says the health of the person comes first. When injuries stack up, especially to one single region, says you have longer term concerns and prioritize what the team's ethical and moral responsibility is to those players and their families after a hockey career is over. Think they had to protect Muzzin from himself by putting him on LTIR to give him 3 weeks minimum, off. As an organization, they will always be about putting the health of their people first and foremost in their mind, even if it hinders them competitively.

/End of Dubas interviews. Enjoy.

Did he actually say he warns younger players from Toronto about the challenges for their families if they come to play for the Leafs ?

 

[Teeder Keon]

You are the man. Thank You.

Great job

 

[Leaf Fans]

That’s how it works here. If you say anything negative you are a fake fan.

No, that isn't true. A poster would only get labled a fake fan if they are almost always negative.

 

[keonsbitterness]

Dubas isn't on the clock nor will he be fired any time soon.

1000 percent is and will be fired if we lose first round. Hopefully that doesn’t happen, obviously, but if we do lose feel free to call me out because I’m convinced they clean house, coach, GM, even Shanny.

I'm on record as believing he's safe until the end of 22-23. We shall see.

 

[Leaf Fans]

So he did nothing to address their most glaring need? At least this guarantees an early exit and that Spreadsheet gets fired.

It isn't really possible to fire a spreadsheet.

 

[DarkKnight]

I'm on record as believing he's safe until the end of 22-23. We shall see.

Only way that happens is if we win a round imho.

 

[kevsh]

Well if he's not an idiot then he really should have gotten another goalie

Who though? The market wasn't exactly rich with goalies that would likely be anything more than Mrazek 2.0, just on an expiring contract. Fleury cost too much and apparently talks never got to the point of asking him if he'd waive.

 

[DcW]

Thrilled this didn't happen

I also thought it was reported the MAF wouldn’t waive to go to TO? Franchise goalies getting traded at the deadline is rare. I think of Miller to the Blues which turned out to be a disaster

 

[Dreakmur]

I'm on record as believing he's safe until the end of 22-23. We shall see.

He might be kept under the condition that he make significant changes, which I do t think he’ll do. I think he falls on his sword before trading Marner or Nylander.

 

[TMLegend]

He should've picked a direction at the trade deadline. All-in or all-out. Instead he was somewhere in the middle and made a few depth additions that aren't going to move the needle all that much, especially considering our division rivals all made better additions on paper.

 

[Tak7]

Did he actually say he warns younger players from Toronto about the challenges for their families if they come to play for the Leafs ?

Before Dubas came on, Hayes & Noodles were talking lighthearted talk about how, when you come and play for your hometown team, all of a sudden you have 3rd uncles and these nobodies in your family coming out of the woodwork asking you for stuff. They then segued into the Dubas interview and asked, half-jokingly, about Giordano being asked about getting a signed Matthews stick.

That's where Dubas said that if it was a younger player they acquired, he may have felt the need to perhaps warn them of what's to come due to it being a mid-season move (he made a point to say that if it was an off-season acquisition, you normally have the summer to deal with the family demands and ramp things up closer to the start of the season).

 

[All Mod Cons]

Sometimes I f***ing can't stand our fanbase.

If Gio was acquired today people would not be so ass hurt about the lack of activity today. Some of the crying going on in here is akin to a kid crying on their sibling's birthday because they didn't get a gift as well.

WE improved our team all while not mortgaging the future. We also have a GM who is in the hot seat and easily could have made a shoot from the hip decision to attempt to save his job. But because Kyle is always thinking what is best for this team long term, he did not.

In:
Gio, Lybushkin, Blackwell, and a 2022 3rd (WPG)

out:
2022 2nd, 2023 2nd, AZ choice of 2023 3rd or 2025 2nd, 2022 3rd (TOR), Dermott, Ritchie

pretty solid value given all the f***ing stupidity that was going on in the NHL the last couple days.

We were never 1 player or 2 players away from being the undisputed favorite in our division. There was no point in spending any more than we did. We just have to roll the dice with what we had already and hope our all-star goalie returns to form. I am happy Kyle agreed.

Good job

I think part of the issue is, the same, let's say 50 posters tell everyone we've improved our team every single TDL, draft day, July 1st, offseason, every signing that's made and every trade we make.

And yet it doesn't translate directly to the standings and/or playoffs. So there's a disconnect somewhere.

The question we're all trying to solve is, where is the disconnect?

 

[Tak7]

Only way that happens is if we win a round imho.

I think he gets another year, regardless of how this one goes - including another Round 1 failure.
I'm guessing he will be forced to re-evaluate the core if it goes south, but I don't think his job is in jeopardy.
If it were, I think there'd be a lot more noise around this marketplace.

 

[Sypher04]

I'm on record as believing he's safe until the end of 22-23. We shall see.

I actually tend to agree. I don’t think this if we lose Dubas is out sentiment is as close to a lock as many others do

 

[LeafGrief]

He might be kept under the condition that he make significant changes, which I do t think he’ll do. I think he falls on his sword before trading Marner or Nylander.

Frankly, willingness to admit mistakes is one of the things that I like about him. I think that he has to if either of them have a bad playoffs again. If we lose in the first round again and he does keep his job, the big 4 era clearly needs to end and that means one of them will go. They might choose for him, or he might have to make the hard choice.

I'd definitely rather have Dubas at the helm of a retool than whatever random candidate we dredged up. We're not likely to poach any of the current superstar GM's, there's a huge supply of shitty ones with experience, and what are the odds of some other rookie GM doing better? Dubas does make mistakes, but they all do (yes, even Stevie Y). Man's not perfect, but I will happily keep him.

 

[Sypher04]

I also thought it was reported the MAF wouldn’t waive to go to TO? Franchise goalies getting traded at the deadline is rare. I think of Miller to the Blues which turned out to be a disaster

It never got that far, but listening to Fleury talk after being traded it was clearly very important to him he wasn’t moved very far from where he was. For his family

 

[Leafsfan74]

He should've picked a direction at the trade deadline. All-in or all-out. Instead he was somewhere in the middle and made a few depth additions that aren't going to move the needle all that much, especially considering our division rivals all made better additions on paper.

I think that last year this approach was more applicable due to the unique circumstances. This year too many overpayments would be best if they came with term. They gave up plenty for Gio and Blackwell, that addressed some weaknesses while not costing key prospects or First Rounders.

Leafs can always find UFA cast offs in the offseason Again their cap restrictions wil continue to handcuff them as it will all of the top teams so NHL scouting and creativity are paramount.

 

[Mess]

Regarding the goaltending situation,

Leafs 1A goalie is on LTIR and lost all confidence and hasn't had a month in 2022 yet with a > .900 sv% and Leafs 1B just cleared waivers on his way to the minors.

Combined Leafs sv% in 2022 is ranked #32 overall and last in the league.

Trade deadline comes and goes and it is what it is..

 

[Superstar]

Leafs 1A goalie is on LTIR and lost all confidence and hasn't had a month in 2022 yet with a > .900 sv% and Leafs 1B just cleared waivers on his way to the minors.

Combined Leafs sv% in 2022 is ranked #32 overall and last in the league.

Trade deadline comes and goes and it is what it is..

At least Leafs didn't get worse in the goaltending spot...

 

[Dreakmur]

Frankly, willingness to admit mistakes is one of the things that I like about him. I think that he has to if either of them have a bad playoffs again. If we lose in the first round again and he does keep his job, the big 4 era clearly needs to end and that means one of them will go. They might choose for him, or he might have to make the hard choice.

I'd definitely rather have Dubas at the helm of a retool than whatever random candidate we dredged up. We're not likely to poach any of the current superstar GM's, there's a huge supply of shitty ones with experience, and what are the odds of some other rookie GM doing better? Dubas does make mistakes, but they all do (yes, even Stevie Y). Man's not perfect, but I will happily keep him.

It’s not a retool. This is the final pieces to building a championship team.

 

[Ciao]

I'm even more convinced now that Dubas should be fired after just finding out that Chicago retained 50% of MAF's salary. Who is this franchise changing player in this draft available when we pick? Stupid.

MAF is a gamble. Let go by Vegas. Shitty season with Chicago. Big name, sure, but absolutely not a sure thing. He would need to get hot to be of much use in the playoffs.

I'm not at all disappointed the Leafs passed on him.

 

[All Mod Cons]

I recall Jeff Marek during the 2nd intermission "reporting" that teams were interested in Mrazek but Toronto wasn't keen on trading him, I guess we now know with certainty where that's coming from and at what point the front office realized they made a massive mistake

Yes. It was obviously bullshit at the time. That's only a move they'd do.in the off-season. Yeah, OK Jeff.

A number of fans bought it though to be fair.

 

[Nylanderthal]

I'm not sure what you can wait for. The next time Leafs will have a one two punch at center like we have now might be decades.

Well have the same 1-2 punch for minimum three more runs.

 

[Twine Tickler]

I think part of the issue is, the same, let's say 50 posters tell everyone we've improved our team every single TDL, draft day, July 1st, offseason, every signing that's made and every trade we make.

And yet it doesn't translate directly to the standings and/or playoffs. So there's a disconnect somewhere.

The question we're all trying to solve is, where is the disconnect?

Ya that's entirely fair. But the thing is it's the hardest trophy in pro sport for a reason. There are endless reasons why this team hasn't seen any success in the post season, all of which are completely valid. There are some real underlying issues with the formula that just cannot be defined with standard statistics or analytics.

Playoffs are where skill and will marry in a more balanced way, and on any given night if you don't have a combination of both, you will not win. I have real doubts on this team as well, like I am sure a lot of us do. But we are not going to move a core player mid season to address that. From a very realistic standpoint, there is a more than real possibility of a 1st round exit. That's not necessarily because we haven't improved our roster, because we have, but more so because the team we are set to play has done the exact same. But we didn't improve our team at the cost of or future, which to me is something that cannot be said about Boston, TB, and Florida.

All I know is the team stacks well against anyone, and if this team plays to its potential it can beat anyone. We made enough forward momentum with our moves to give us a chance in the fight. But this "inactivity" or "passiveness" at the deadline just might take a year or 2 to mature.

I am personally very high on our next wave prospects. We will almost certainly have at least 1 impact player in Knies, Robertson, Holmberg, Neimela, Abruzzese and maybe even Amirov if we are lucky. If one or more of those pan out in the next year or 2, it could be a real difference maker for our team. Not to mention the continued maturation of Liljegren and Sandin.

It may sound ridiculous to some, but I am going into this playoffs with zero expectations. If we win a round, fantastic. If not, I still believe in the direction we are going. I am sure there were plenty of folk in CGY that were calling for changes after last season. Sometimes the best moves you make are the ones you don't make

 

[DarkKnight]

I think he gets another year, regardless of how this one goes - including another Round 1 failure.
I'm guessing he will be forced to re-evaluate the core if it goes south, but I don't think his job is in jeopardy.
If it were, I think there'd be a lot more noise around this marketplace.

I don’t understand why anyone thinks that? Recall this year’s exit and it was an open question, the drum would beat so loud I can’t see him surviving. You can’t keep losing first rounds year after year and keep the general. This season is it for the core in this iteration, the GM, the coach and Shanny. MLSE will clean house if we go out again imho.