Toronto Maple Leafs: Who Would Replace Kyle Dubas?

[Stephen]

As I already said, you can attribute 2015 partially to him if you want, though at the same time it's pretty disingenuous to pretend that there isn't a massive difference between a franchise-defining 4th overall pick, and 2nd-7th round picks, when discussing the amount of influence Dubas would have.

To be clear, Dubas didn't appear to have much of a hand to play in drafting any of the earlier drafts, since Hunter was always front and center in the decision making process. When talking about the rebuild we were counting on his super scout reputation, deep ties to the London Knights and OHL for clues as to how the Leafs would draft. The idea you're trying to give Dubas credit for drafting Marner is the real piece of revisionist history here. So if we're going to go along with you take, Dubas would rightfully assume all the blame as well. 2015 was not a good draft outside the 1st round.

 

[Dekes For Days]

To be clear, Dubas didn't appear to have much of a hand to play in drafting any of the earlier drafts, since Hunter was always front and center in the decision making process. When talking about the rebuild we were counting on his super scout reputation, deep ties to the London Knights and OHL for clues as to how the Leafs would draft. The idea you're trying to give Dubas credit for drafting Marner is the real piece of revisionist history here.

The only revisionist history here is you trying to pretend like Hunter unanimously made the Marner pick, when we know for a fact that isn't true.

Yes, Hunter was tasked with handling more of the scouting side of things, but 4th overall picks in a top tier draft that could define the future of the organization are not made unanimously by an interim co-GM. We know that internal discussions were had about that pick, with people as low as the head coach having input, so the co-GM obviously would too. We also know that Babcock was advocating for Hanafin, so considering that we ended up picking Marner, it seems logical that Hunter wouldn't have been on an island alone, and likely had other internal members on his side. We also know that Marner is exactly the type of draft pick that Dubas would gravitate toward, and that he's been a consistent supporter of Marner throughout.

It's pretty amazing the lengths some will go to strip Dubas of the smallest amount of credit for anything.

 

[Gallagbi]

Oh ok, so do we blame Dubas for botching the rest of the 2015 draft, or did he have the day off on the second day of the draft so all the bad stuff happened when he was away and Hunter could play?

Truthfully i think its a Hunter pick and not a bad draft on the whole. Two NHLers including a superstar with some grenades around that area is tough to be pissed. Big frustration is what it couls have been.

My best guess is Dubas got the picks in our trade down scenarios.

 

[PromisedLand]

right from the all-star event

 

[Stephen]

Truthfully i think its a Hunter pick and not a bad draft on the whole. Two NHLers including a superstar with some grenades around that area is tough to be pissed. Big frustration is what it couls have been.

My best guess is Dubas got the picks in our trade down scenarios.

I think it was a bad draft in the sense that it was a lot of players that didn’t help beyond the slam dunk 1st rounder. That’s what a team like Edmonton is usually criticized for when thinking about how unsuccessful their builds have been.

The trade down for Dermott seemed like a well crafted and targeted move at the time. I was hoping maybe they saw some unique upside a la Letang or Subban or Keith that would make them went to do the trade down dance.

The targeting of Bracco, Dzierkals and Timashov seemed good. Like they were upping the skill level at a time when we had none. But considering Kaprizov was in that draft lasting till the 5th round it felt like Hunter had the wrong treasure map.

 

[rocketman588]

Truthfully i think its a Hunter pick and not a bad draft on the whole. Two NHLers including a superstar with some grenades around that area is tough to be pissed. Big frustration is what it couls have been.

My best guess is Dubas got the picks in our trade down scenarios.

Hunter only drafted the busts and Dubas every good pick. He also told Hunter to draft every player that ended up working out past our picks that we didn't take. He's a savant you're just not getting it.

I heard Babs called up Colorado and traded Naz for a discount version of someone we already had in Rielly as well. Even barrie said there really wasn't a role for him here

 

[Leaf Fans]

only Dubies lovers believe that since for some reason they've become extremely emotionally attached to him

Where has any Dubies lover ever posted anything like that?

 

[IPS]

View attachment 645579

Here's Hunter making the pick like a proud pappa.

But apparently it was Dubas who rationally convinced Hunter to draft the superstar junior from the junior franchise he himself owned with his brother Dale.

There's having an opinion, then there's pushing an agenda.

Saying that Dubas played some crucial role in Drafting Marner is pushing an agenda. The man in that picture was probably the guy who knew Marner as a player better than anyone else in the world at that point in time.

It's 99.9999% likely that Dubas was assigned to study other prospects.

 

[acrobaticgoalie]

I could possibly see Wickenheiser being a solid GM one day. She's a smart, driven women with a great hockey mind. As far as I know though, she has no management experience running a team, so I don't think that would be a smart decision to go with her as a rookie GM.

Trotz I think would actually make a great GM. Him being a bench boss for the last 25 yrs in the current NHL, watching all the players around the league up close and having to coach against them, I see him having the best grasp on building a winner. My only concern is about the actual management experience working the phones making trades.

Other than maybe Trotz, I can't think of any one off the top of my head that I think would be a clear upgrade over Dubas unless some other GMs get fired.

 

[Stephen]

There's having an opinion, then there's pushing an agenda.

Saying that Dubas played some crucial role in Drafting Marner is pushing an agenda. The man in that picture was probably the guy who knew Marner as a player better than anyone else in the world at that point in time.

It's 99.9999% likely that Dubas was assigned to study other prospects.

The 2016 London Knights: The Intersection of the Genius of Hunter and the Magic of Marner

Below, long-time MLHS member, Knights2Leafs, reflects on the stunning playoff run by the 2016 OHL champion London Knights, with notes from editor Alec Brownscombe. As a long-time London Knights seasons ticket holder, I’ve had the great fortune of watching a lot of fantastic hockey during the...

mapleleafshotstove.com

Here's an article detailing the rise of the London Knights under Dale and Mark Hunter's ownership and management, along with the rise of Mitch Marner in juniors, culminating in a Memorial Cup win the year after the 2015 draft.

What would Dubas have been adding to the conversation? Hunter was probably foaming at the mouth to draft Marner.

 

[hfman]

wow am I the only one who sees the obvious writing on the wall?

Another 1st round exit and BOTH dubas and shanahan wil be sh*tcanned

there's no compromising there, I thought it was obvious to everyone?

next year will be what, Shanahan's 10th year here?

A full decade and zero playoff wins? that has to be an all-time NHL record for a President to be on the same team and never win a playoff round? It's an unprecedented miracle for him that he still has his job here.

But the line is drawn now. If this is another playoff disaster (which it will be, unless they figure out how to fix their problems) then Shanahan is out of here, and so is Dubas.

Not sure how anyone thinks they'll still be here next year if/when the same thing happens again this spring

 

[Nhlpowerweek]

If they win the first playoff series, its going to be like in my old hometown: "Nobody leaves".

 

[Visnovsky]

If Mike Futa would be available and we'd decide to move on from Dubas, that would be my target.

 

[LEAFANFORLIFE23]

Toronto Maple Leafs: Who Would Replace Kyle Dubas?

The Toronto Maple Leafs are not sure who the general manager will be next season. Current GM Kyle Dubas is in the final year of his contract.

editorinleaf.com

Toronto Maple Leafs fans are not sure who the general manager will be next season.

Current Toronto Maple Leafs GM Kyle Dubas is in the final year of his contract and is a lame duck situation.

Kyle Dubas’ future with the Leafs may already be decided for all anyone knows, though some insist that it will come down to how well the team performs in the 2023 NHL playoffs.

Another first-round exit would likely end his tenure as Toronto’s GM, however, its going to depend on how the team performs overall.

Dubas has spent the past few seasons putting together a talented Toronto team, only to see it fail in the playoffs. This season, more than others, there is a lot at stake for Dubas and his team.

If this is indeed Dubas’ last season as the GM in Toronto, it may also be Shanahan’s.

Here are a few options the Leafs could explore, if necessary.

Toronto Maple Leafs Future GM Options​

There will be no shortage of possibilities for Shanahan when selecting the next general manager of the Toronto Maple Leafs. It is a pretty coveted job within the NHL. So, when the time comes to hire a new GM, who will he choose?

Brandon Pridham​

Brandon Pridham is the current Assistant GM to Kyle Dubas and the wizard behind Toronto’s salary cap. His knowledge of Toronto’s salary cap future and the players makes him a great candidate. The big question will be whether or not he stays with the team or decides to follow Dubas to Dubas’ next landing spot. If he stays, he’s at the top of the list for Dubas’s replacement.

Ryan Hardy​

Ryan Hardy is the current general manager of the Toronto Marlies and is an assistant GM to Kyle Dubas. Hardy has held the position of Marlies GM since June 25th, 2021. He has a good working knowledge of Toronto’s prospects and what this team needs moving forward.

Doug Gilmour​

Former Toronto Maple Leafs captain Doug Gilmour is a fan favourite in Toronto. He was a very hard-working player and knows what it takes to win. From 2011 to 2017, Gilmour was the GM of the Kingston Frontenacs in the OHL. He acted as team president for Kingston from 2017 to 2019 before leaving the team to join the Toronto Maple Leafs as a community representative. There is no telling how well Gilmour would do as the GM in Toronto, but he would be starting with a talented roster.

Dr. Hayley Wickenheiser​

Dr. Hayley Wickenheiser is currently an assistant GM with the Toronto Maple Leafs in charge of player development. She knows a thing or two about winning. As a member of Canada’s women’s hockey team, Wickenheiser won four Olympic gold medals and one Olympic silver medal.

She also helped Team Canada win seven gold medals at the World Championships, along with six silver medals. Her role in player development would be an asset if Shanahan decides it’s time for her to be promoted.

Hopefully if Dubas is fired he's replaced by somebody with credibility AKA none of these people

 

[LEAFANFORLIFE23]

Probably somebody worse.

Leafs were silly to leave this until now, and now we have to hope Dubas won't leave.

Seems likely he'll stay though. Seems like the type to want to finish what he's started.

Either way, this is an offseason discussion.

He's made ZERO Progress, if that doesn't change at some point you have to go.

And before you try to lie and say there has been Progress, because I know you will.

The ONLY Progress at this point is a series win, that's it,that's what counts.

 

[TMLBlueandWhite]

It should have been Joyce but they fired him

 

[TakeTheBody]

One of us, we obviously all know better. We vote. Okay, okay, I accept the nomination.

 

[Morbo]

right from the all-star event

he also got suspended in the playoffs a THIRD time with Colorado.

I guess it's more fun to pretend that didn't happen.

 

[DarkKnight]

If we win a round, he probably stays. If we lose, they’re all gone. It’s a pretty simple equation.

he also got suspended in the playoffs a THIRD time with Colorado.

I guess it's more fun to pretend that didn't happen.

Nobody cares about the journey, just the destination.

 

[ToneDog]

Don’t forget 44

Yup was going to include 31, 43 and 44 but wanted to keep it simple. One could argue that Lou also left Dubas with above average goaltending and it has steadily declined since Kyle took over. Dubas got lucky with Soup until Soup went off a cliff. Jury is out on Murray and Sammy but both are currently trending in the wrong direction.

 

[acrobaticgoalie]

If Mike Futa would be available and we'd decide to move on from Dubas, that would be my target.

Futa's name always seems to come up on teams radars all the time but he never gets hired. There's gotta be a reason for it.

 

[Dekes For Days]

He's made ZERO Progress.

That's not true though. You can't base management decisions on the one thing you want to exclusively focus on, and nothing else.

 

[ToneDog]

He's made ZERO Progress, if that doesn't change at some point you have to go.

And before you try to lie and say there has been Progress, because I know you will.

The ONLY Progress at this point is a series win, that's it,that's what counts.

He has bled picks which will cost us in the near future. Eventually we will be looking up at teams drafting in the top 10. It will be much sooner if 34 leaves.

 

[All Mod Cons]

As I've mentioned before, his early mistakes cost him. I'm not sure he'll be able to come back from the damage he caused early on. We have glaring holes due to those decisions.

If he started out now, he'd probably be OK. But did too much damage in too short a time to recover.

 

[weems]

The 2016 London Knights: The Intersection of the Genius of Hunter and the Magic of Marner

Below, long-time MLHS member, Knights2Leafs, reflects on the stunning playoff run by the 2016 OHL champion London Knights, with notes from editor Alec Brownscombe. As a long-time London Knights seasons ticket holder, I’ve had the great fortune of watching a lot of fantastic hockey during the...

mapleleafshotstove.com

Here's an article detailing the rise of the London Knights under Dale and Mark Hunter's ownership and management, along with the rise of Mitch Marner in juniors, culminating in a Memorial Cup win the year after the 2015 draft.

What would Dubas have been adding to the conversation? Hunter was probably foaming at the mouth to draft Marner.

Lindsay Hofford worked with the London Knights from 2000 until 2015.
He was Head coach, Assistant coach and Dir of Amateur scouting during these years under the Hunters.
Marner was drafted #19th overall in 2013 when Hofford was director of amateur scouting for the Knights.

Hofford had known and worked with Marner since he was a kid.

"He has known London's director of scouting Lindsay Hofford since he was a little kid.


He has attended the Hill Academy private school in Vaughan, where Hofford is the hockey director, for the last three years."

"He's an entertaining player like Max and Bo (Horvat) – the bigger he gets, the better, but his compete level and vision are off the charts,” Hofford said. “People come to watch them play. I know the family. That's why we felt we could probably talk him into coming. With a little tender, loving care, we can get him in our lineup."

Hofford was hired by the Leafs May 19, 2015 and Marner was drafted June 27, 2015.

Feels like an extreme stretch to think Kyle Dubas was some huge force in drafting Marner when the Hofford/Hunter combo had known/coached/drafted the kid for quite some time.