Leafs Offseason: Alot of big decisions, 17 key ones [Dubas(gone), Matthews, Marner, Nylander are biggies]

[Gary Nylund]

Well that was as interesting as it gets. I appreciate the honesty, I agreed with almost everything Shanny said, good to hear him speak, it's been ages. Made a good impression on me and I trust him to make a wise decision on hiring the next guy.

 

[Zero1]

I’m actually shocked how open Shanny was about the contract negotiations with Dubas.

All the rumours seem to lineup with his side of the story.

Shanny/MLSE wanted Dubas back -> Dubas wanted to be back -> The agent and Shanny basically came to terms on the framework of a contract -> Dubas and Shanny had a conversation about their personal lives/impact of the job to their family that I think Shanny took as venting among coworkers -> Dubas availability happened -> Shanny was taken by surprise and started to second guess Dubas’ commitement to the Leafs -> Dubas wanted to change the terms of the agreed upon framework of the contract-> That was probably the straw that broke the camels back and Shanny decided to move on.

 

[sunstersun]

I feel very meh about Dubas leaving.

He's finally experienced, but also his hiring and retaining of Keefe is too much.

It sucks because he's very likable and passionate. Really wanted it to work out with Dubas, but oh well. Gotta move on.

 

[Gary Nylund]

I feel very meh about Dubas leaving.

He's finally experienced, but also his hiring and retaining of Keefe is too much.

It sucks because he's very likable and passionate. Really wanted it to work out with Dubas, but oh well. Gotta move on.

Yeah mixed feelings. Drafted well, I like his trades but overpaid Marner, didn't stick to his stated philosophy of not liking rentals and my biggest fear was that he takes loyalty too far, promising Nylander that he would never trade him being a good example.

I think maybe he thought that with all that talent, he could cruise to the cup without having to make any tough decisions and now he realized maybe not and pondering making some tough decisions and hurting some feelings caused him stress. If so, then we're better off without him.

I'm glad Shanny showed surprise that Kyle shared with the media all that stress stuff. I thought exactly the same - every job has stress, that's no surprise, you either deal with it or you don't but whining to the media about it is a massive sign of weakness. It feels like that played a huge part in Shanny deciding to change course, good for him.

 

[Trapper]

Well that was as interesting as it gets. I appreciate the honesty, I agreed with almost everything Shanny said, good to hear him speak, it's been ages. Made a good impression on me and I trust him to make a wise decision on hiring the next guy.

The words were fine. We’ve heard them before.
It’s what follows that will hold weight.
We need a fresh mind, who can objectively look at this core and make the necessary moves even if it is somebody’s favourite player. Everything on the table. Someone who can say, this doesn’t work in the playoffs. Or tell individuals that they need to change if they want to stay.

 

[TMLBlueandWhite]

There is a crisis facing Leafs Nation.

This year may see the coach, GM, and POHO all fired. Next year may witness the exodus of Matthews and Nylander. The team is in a mess with no obvious way to stop the losing.

I don't think I've ever been so disappointed in this organization.

Ever since Rogers and Bell bought ML$E it's been one let down after another. I guess I shouldn't be surprised. Two companies all about gouging Canadians for every penny they can don't care about winning cups.

You would think Tanenbaum would be different.

His inactivity indicates otherwise. If he really cared he would do something. Fire Shanahan on down.

Hire competent people.

The situation is critical. Now is not the time for indecision. Someone needs to do something.

A strong leader takes action.

The people have spoken. They cry out for a change. Let their voices be heard.

If Tanenbaum had even a modicum of respect for the "greatest fan base in the world", he would listen.

 

[hockeywiz542]

 

[hockeywiz542]

Toronto Maple Leafs president Brendan Shanahan addresses departure of Kyle Dubas | TSN

Brendan Shanahan says that Kyle Dubas was receptive to overtures to return as general manager of the Toronto Maple Leafs and a new contract was prepared, but things changed after Dubas's media conference on Monday.

www.tsn.ca

Brendan Shanahan says that a final offer was ready for Dubas and he told him as much on the same night that the team was eliminated from the playoffs by the Florida Panthers on May 12. Shanahan says a framework was presented to him the following day.

Shanahan says that he believed Dubas was receptive to the framework and suggested that he shouldn't speak to the media until the deal was finalized, but Dubas wanted to have a season-ending press conference.

It was after his emotional press conference on Monday that Shanahan realized that Dubas's stance on a new deal might have changed.

"I think at that point there was a dramatic shift in my thinking," Shanahan said. "He might not want to be our GM and I have to take that seriously."

Later in the week, Dubas's agent presented the team with new numbers and Dubas told Shanahan in an email that he intended to return. Shanahan says after much thinking, he informed Dubas that he would not be returning earlier on Friday.

Shanahan insists that the breakdown was not the result of a gap in compensation expectations from both sides.

"After the press conference on Monday, I was less sure...I hadn't ruled Kyle Dubas out, but I had to make sure of other options, as well," Shanahan said.

Shanahan says he doesn't begrudge Dubas for speaking publicly and understands his familial concerns.

As for a successor, Shanahan says previous experience is "an attractive quality" in potential candidates." In terms of a timeline, Shanahan says an appointment "needs to happen rather soon."

Shanahan, 54, has been president of the Leafs since 2014 when he left the NHL front office where he served as the league's senior vice president in charge of meting out discipline.

 

[hockeywiz542]

Maple Leafs GM candidates: 10 names to consider as Kyle Dubas' replacement

Let’s take a look at a very early list of possible candidates to be the next Maple Leafs GM.

theathletic.com

So let’s take a look at a very early list of possible candidates to be the next Leafs GM.

• Brandon Pridham

• Brad Treliving

• Eric Tulsky

• Hayley Wickenheiser

• Mathieu Darche

• Jamie Pushor

• Scott Nichol

Honourable mentions

Ryan Hardy: The Leafs assistant GM only has two years of working in the NHL under his belt, both as GM of the Toronto Marlies. But he’s long been thought of as one of hockey’s up-and-comers, having previously worked as a scout for the Boston Bruins and then revolutionizing the USHL’s Chicago Steel, now a preeminent junior hockey franchise known for developing talented players built to succeed in the modern game.

There is a case to be made that it’s too soon for Hardy to take on such a prominent role, but it also feels likely that he’ll be an NHL GM eventually.

Jason Spezza: Spezza only has one year of front office experience under his belt as special assistant to Dubas, but his 20-year professional career that only ended in 2022 puts him in a different class. He knows the Leafs players remarkably well and understands the modern game. Spezza has wants to be a GM eventually. It may take a few more years of seasoning before he gets there, though.

Mark Hunter: The former Leafs assistant GM lost out to Dubas when Lou Lamoriello left the organization in 2018. His name will therefore be attached to the team in some manner moving forward. Could he resurface as a possible candidate after returning to the OHL’s London Knights as GM?

 

[hockeywiz542]

Eight candidates to replace Kyle Dubas as Toronto Maple Leafs GM

With a potentially turbulent offseason looming, the Leafs have to act fast. Who is best equipped to take the high-profile...

www.dailyfaceoff.com

Who are the most logical candidates to step in as Toronto’s next GM? Consider these names, listed alphabetically.

Marc Bergevin

Bergevin would easily be the most polarizing name to pull from the list of candidates, next to dusting off Stan Bowman. He handed out many of the contracts that took on water and dragged the Montreal Canadiens into their current rebuilding period. He was also the one calling out Logan Mailloux’s name at the end of the 2021 NHL Draft’s first round after Mailloux had renounced the idea of being drafted in the wake of being convicted of a crime of a sexual nature. On the other hand, Bergevin guided the Habs through an era that included multiple division titles, an Eastern Conference Final birth and a trip to the 2021 Stanley Cup Final. Bergevin has worked under Luc Robitaille as a senior advisor for the L.A. Kings in the last season and a half, and Shanahan and Robitaille are friends as former Detroit Red Wings teammates. So Shanahan would trust a candidate recommended by Robitaille. Bergevin checks the “experienced” box.

Mathieu Darche

The Tampa Bay Lightning’s development system is the envy of the league for its ability to turn seemingly marginal prospects into viable NHLers. Darche has worked for the Bolts as director of hockey operations since 2019-20 and was promoted to assistant GM starting this season, apprenticing with the wizard Julien BriseBois. Darche’s specific experience, seeing first-hand how a championship-grade team stays competitive despite losing stars as cap casualties, would be extra relevant for a Leafs team trying to figure out whether it should keep its expensive core together.

Kris Draper

Draper would qualify as somewhat of an off-the-radar hire, but don’t sleep on him. He has worked in the Red Wings front office for more than a decade, sponging up expertise from the likes of Ken Holland, Jim Nill and, now, Steve Yzerman. Draper is blocked; there’s no way he’ll unseat the legendary ‘Stevie Y’ for the Detroit GM job anytime soon. Draper brings diverse experience, having been a special assistant to the GM but transitioning to director of amateur scouting, a post he’s held for several years. He’s a media-friendly personality who happens to be from Toronto and has a long friendship with former teammate Shanahan.

Brandon Pridham

If the Leafs want the quickest, smoothest transition to a gig that requires a lot of action in the near future: Pridham might be the way to go. Shanahan said explicitly Friday that in the meantime, before filling the job, “I’ll be leaning heavily on Brandon Pridham, and that “I’m not ruling anybody out at this point.” Having worked for years at the NHL with Central Scouting and the Central Registry, he is one of the sport’s foremost salary cap experts. He was instrumental to helping Dubas with salary-cap gymnastics in recent seasons. Pridham might not have the biggest media presence but, theoretically, he’d be well equipped to hit the ground running in an organization that is already completely familiar to him.

Steve Staios

Staios has to be one of the more experienced people in the sport who hasn’t yet nailed down a NHL GM job. He feels long overdue for a shot, having spent seven seasons running the OHL’s Hamilton Bulldogs, with a stint as Canada’s World Junior Championship GM mixed in. Staios gets talked up as a logical successor to Ken Holland in Edmonton, but that vacancy doesn’t exist at the moment. Staios first cut his teeth in an NHL front office with the Leafs, working from 2012-13 through 2014-15, overlapping with Shanahan’s tenure for a year.

Jason Spezza

Spezza, an NHL GM, just a year removed from retiring as a player? He’s certainly an underdog for the gig given his lack of experience. But he was hands-on in his first season as special assistant to the GM, known to be an extremely opinionated member of Dubas’ staff. No candidate is more familiar with the Leafs’ player personnel than their own recent teammate Spezza, who would also bring a comfortable public presence, having been a media darling during his three seasons playing for the Leafs. What Spezza would need if hired is an assistant GM who understands the cap minutia – like Pridham, whom the Calgary Flames are planning to interview in the coming weeks for their GM job.

Brad Treliving

If the Leafs want to go with a louder hire, an experienced and aggressively active GM who will come in unafraid to clean house? That’s Treliving, who completed one of the wildest offseasons of all-time last summer with the Calgary Flames. Having already held down a GM job in a Canadian market, he’d handle the pressure better than most candidates. And there’s something to be said for bringing in a true outsider with no prior attachments to the current roster. Things would not be quiet in the event that Treliving comes to town. He’d take the bull by the horns.

 

[Belgican]

"Nylander is leaving Maple Leafs as soon as the season ends" ....

and joining team Sweden at World's with brother and best friend Rasmus Sandin

I was in Riga, there is definitely something going around Nylander

 

[hullsy47]

They can't win together. But if you insert one of them onto a cup winner surrounded by players who play playoff hockey, sure they could get a ring.

Problem is, you can't build a cup winner around their inflated cap hit when they don't show up in the playoffs

It's the cap hit . Both wanna make more than Pastranak and draisatl

 

[hullsy47]

There is a crisis facing Leafs Nation.

This year may see the coach, GM, and POHO all fired. Next year may witness the exodus of Matthews and Nylander. The team is in a mess with no obvious way to stop the losing.

I don't think I've ever been so disappointed in this organization.

Ever since Rogers and Bell bought ML$E it's been one let down after another. I guess I shouldn't be surprised. Two companies all about gouging Canadians for every penny they can don't care about winning cups.

You would think Tanenbaum would be different.

His inactivity indicates otherwise. If he really cared he would do something. Fire Shanahan on down.

Hire competent people.

The situation is critical. Now is not the time for indecision. Someone needs to do something.

A strong leader takes action.

The people have spoken. They cry out for a change. Let their voices be heard.

If Tanenbaum had even a modicum of respect for the "greatest fan base in the world", he would listen.

What is the letdown .dubas got bent over by mathews and marner
He got the keys to the executive washrooms and he didn't deliver
Shanahan is letting Leaf nation know this isn't working and wil never work
Dubas would have let these guys walk into UFA without and leverage
If mathews wants to leave better know now then on July 2

[Dubas, Matthews, Marner, Nylander are biggies]​

Dubas gone.
Nobody left to deal with the young 3.

This is not looking good.

U mean give them everything they ask for
Only mathews will get what he wants
The others may get to play where its warm

 

[57 Years No Cup]

There is a crisis facing Leafs Nation.

This year may see the coach, GM, and POHO all fired. Next year may witness the exodus of Matthews and Nylander. The team is in a mess with no obvious way to stop the losing.

I don't think I've ever been so disappointed in this organization.

Ever since Rogers and Bell bought ML$E it's been one let down after another. I guess I shouldn't be surprised. Two companies all about gouging Canadians for every penny they can don't care about winning cups.

You would think Tanenbaum would be different.

His inactivity indicates otherwise. If he really cared he would do something. Fire Shanahan on down.

Hire competent people.

The situation is critical. Now is not the time for indecision. Someone needs to do something.

A strong leader takes action.

The people have spoken. They cry out for a change. Let their voices be heard.

If Tanenbaum had even a modicum of respect for the "greatest fan base in the world", he would listen.

Cool story Bro.

 

[ToneDog]

There is a crisis facing Leafs Nation.

This year may see the coach, GM, and POHO all fired. Next year may witness the exodus of Matthews and Nylander. The team is in a mess with no obvious way to stop the losing.

I don't think I've ever been so disappointed in this organization.

Ever since Rogers and Bell bought ML$E it's been one let down after another. I guess I shouldn't be surprised. Two companies all about gouging Canadians for every penny they can don't care about winning cups.

You would think Tanenbaum would be different.

His inactivity indicates otherwise. If he really cared he would do something. Fire Shanahan on down.

Hire competent people.

The situation is critical. Now is not the time for indecision. Someone needs to do something.

A strong leader takes action.

The people have spoken. They cry out for a change. Let their voices be heard.

If Tanenbaum had even a modicum of respect for the "greatest fan base in the world", he would listen.

Hard to believe they were planning to bring back the 3 stooges before Larry pulled his powerplay on Moe.

 

[hockeywiz542]

Duhatschek notebook: Why the Maple Leafs and Flames could swap GMs, woe Canada (again)

The Athletic's Eric Duhatschek has a solution for both Toronto and Calgary as they try to find new GMs.

theathletic.com

We talk forever and constantly about player trades in the NHL and whenever we want to get whimsical, we even talk about swapping coaches. In a roundabout way, that happened this past offseason — a three-way exchange that saw Jim Montgomery go from Dallas to Boston, Bruce Cassidy from Boston to Vegas, and Peter DeBoer from Vegas to Dallas. Cassidy’s and DeBoer’s teams face off in the Western Conference final beginning tonight, while Montgomery coached the Bruins to the most regular-season wins (65) in NHL history.

So, wins all around.

Which of course leads us to the next logical progression in the NHL trading game — a swap of general managers.

I’m pitching Kyle Dubas, former Maple Leafs GM, for Brad Treliving, former Flames’ GM in a one-for-one deal.

And before you jump to the comments to explain why that wouldn’t, couldn’t or shouldn’t happen, hear me out.

Treliving, if you’ll recall, mutually parted ways with the Calgary Flames soon after their regular season ended in disappointment. They missed the playoffs with 93 points, never quite getting untracked after the significant offseason personnel changes they made, which were largely set in motion when Matthew Tkachuk forced a trade out of Calgary and Johnny Gaudreau left as an unrestricted free agent.

...........

When the Flames began the search for Treliving’s replacement, Don Maloney — the new president of hockey operations and the interim general manager — said he was looking for a bright young voice to run the team. It almost seems as if the job he was describing perfectly squared with Dubas’ resume.

If Dubas needs some time away from the game to recharge his batteries, there is nothing to prevent Maloney from carrying on as interim GM through the rest of the offseason. He has enough experience, from his previous jobs in Arizona and with the Islanders, to handle the duties on a short-term basis.

Maloney was adamant, whenever he spoke about this hire, that the important thing was to make the right choice, even if the search took them deep into the summer. If they’re not prepared to turn the reins over to Craig Conroy, who seems like the logical internal candidate, then they can carry on with the current iteration of the front office through the draft and into free agency.

I know Dubas is a polarizing figure in Toronto, but the reality is, other than trying too hard to sign John Tavares when he ultimately needed that salary-cap space down the road, he has a lot more wins than losses on his decision-making report card.

 

[CelticDruid]

There is a crisis facing Leafs Nation.

This year may see the coach, GM, and POHO all fired. Next year may witness the exodus of Matthews and Nylander. The team is in a mess with no obvious way to stop the losing.

I don't think I've ever been so disappointed in this organization.

Ever since Rogers and Bell bought ML$E it's been one let down after another. I guess I shouldn't be surprised. Two companies all about gouging Canadians for every penny they can don't care about winning cups.

You would think Tanenbaum would be different.

His inactivity indicates otherwise. If he really cared he would do something. Fire Shanahan on down.

Hire competent people.

The situation is critical. Now is not the time for indecision. Someone needs to do something.

A strong leader takes action.

The people have spoken. They cry out for a change. Let their voices be heard.

If Tanenbaum had even a modicum of respect for the "greatest fan base in the world", he would listen.

That was almost as good as a cancelled Netflix series.

 

[hockeywiz542]

 

[hockeywiz542]

 

[robertmac43]

So we have all this change going on right now and we still need to find a GM, make a trade, draft, re-sign AM34 and 88, sign new players to fill out the roster, etc....

This is going to be a wild couple of weeks.

 

[hockeywiz542]

Toronto Maple Leafs President Brendan Shanahan Details Timeline of Events That Led to Kyle Dubas' Dismissal as General Manager - The Hockey News

Did this simply fall apart over money?

Shanahan said wouldn't say it was about money and felt that after Dubas' news conference with the media on the money he was "less sure" about the future of the GM position.

"I hadn't ruled Kyle Dubas out but I had to make sure I was thinking of other options."

What will the new GM look like?

Shanahan said he will keep an open mind as the search begins for a new GM but added one thing that Dubas did not have.

"Certainly, having an experienced general manager would be an attractive quality."

The search for a new GM for the Maple Leafs begins immediately. He wouldn't rule out anybody.

What role did the Maple Leafs Sports & Entertainment's Board of Directors have in making a decision on Dubas?

Shanahan said he communicated his thoughts with the board but it was ultimately his decision. "They were supportive. That is my job and my job is to make recommendations for them and that was my recommendation and decision."

What does the removal of Dubas mean for the future of Sheldon Keefe and other staff?

Shanahan says that those decisions should be the responsibility of the new GM. That means you likely won't see any clarity on that until a new person is in place. In the interim, Shanahan said he will lean heavily on Pridham.

He has already had talks with Director of Amateur Scouting Wes Clark about how to approach the upcoming NHL draft in June.

Whatever happens though, it doesn't sound like the foundation will change much without Dubas. At least, that's how Shanahan sees it.

"We've built something here," Shanahan said. "We have a lot of people coming back to work and doing their jobs and getting ready to do the things they were paid to do and that was encouraging."

Shanahan expressed an "urgency" to give a new GM in place but to not have a hasty process. "I want to be thoughtful and thorough and it needs to happen rather soon."

What does this mean for the future of the Core Four?

In his last availability with the media, Kyle Dubas essentially left everything on the table for change at any level. That included the core four forwards of Auston Matthews, Mitch Marner, John Tavares and William Nylander.

That philosophy was echoed by Shanahan.

"Just being different doesn't solve something," he said. "Me removing Kyle isn't the solution. It's finding that is a better fit that is a solution and it's the same on the ice."

Dubas' side of the story unknown

Given the raw nature of the news, it's unlikely we hear from Dubas' side of the story until at least after his contract expires on June 30.

 

[hockeywiz542]

 

[hockeywiz542]

 

[hockeywiz542]

Button: Leafs next GM 'has to be experienced'; McPhee would be ideal candidate - TSN.ca

Brendan Shanahan thoroughly explained why he made the choice to part ways with Kyle Dubas as the general manager of the Maple Leafs, and Dubas' indecisiveness may have led the Leafs president to make his ultimate decision. TSN Director of Scouting Craig Button discusses how they got here and stated that he believes George McPhee would be the ideal candidate to take over the GM duties in Toronto.

 

[HolyCrap]

I think Treliving would be a good hire. Good news is Dumbass is gone. Celebrating tonight. Lol.