Surprising turn of events has fans in Pittsburgh turning on Kyle Dubas just 9 months into his tenure
Photo credit: NHL
On May 19th, shortly after the Toronto Maple Leafs were dispatched from the second round in five games by the Florida Panthers, Leafs President and Alternate Governor Brendan Shanahan shocked the hockey world by confirming that the Leafs and Kyle Dubas were parting ways. In his year-end press conference, Dubas was adamant that he would be with the Leafs or taking some time away from the game of hockey. He quickly contradicted his statement, though, by becoming President of the Pittsburgh Penguins at the start of June and later adding GM to his title.
Not long after arriving in Pittsburgh, Dubas started his roster revamp by making a blockbuster deal, acquiring Erik Karlsson from the San Jose Sharks in a three-team trade with Montreal. The hope was that adding Karlsson would give the Penguins' core of Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin and Kris Letang one final shot at a Stanley Cup before their careers ended. Unfortunately, things have not gone well for Dubas and the Penguins, as they currently find themselves 5 points out of the second Wild Card spot in the East and have now lost Jake Guentzel for the next month at least just before he is set to become a UFA.
The Penguins' inconsistency and position in the standings has caused an uproar from Pens fans who have seemingly turned on the former Leafs GM just 9 months into his reported 7-year contract in Pittsburgh.
Penguins reporter Taylor Haase tweeted yesterday that Dubas will be meeting with the media on Wednesday for a pre-deadline press conference, which is something he normally did during his time in Toronto. The replies to her tweet begged for Dubas to trade himself, retire and/or be fired.
"Hoping He announces his resignation letter," tweeted one Pens fan
"Fire and trade - make it so," tweeted another.
"Hope he's announcing his retirement," commented a third.
Most of the replies and quote tweets that followed shared a similar sentiment as Pens fans appear to be fed up with what Dubas has done since taking over. Unfortunately for those fans, Dubas is likely in Pittsburgh for a very long time given his salary and years remaining on his contract and the fact that he has close ties to the Penguins ownership group Fenway Sports Group.
With the trade deadline quickly approaching, and his top asset sidelined until after March 8th, it will be interesting to see what Dubas reveals about his deadline day plans on Wednesday.
| POLL | ||
FEVRIER 20 | 566 ANSWERS Surprising turn of events has fans in Pittsburgh turning on Kyle Dubas just 9 months into his tenure How would you grade Kyle Dubas' tenure in Toronto? | ||
| A- to A+ | 40 | 7.1 % |
| B- to B+ | 265 | 46.8 % |
| C- to C+ | 261 | 46.1 % |
| D- to D+ or lower | 0 | 0 % |
| List of polls | ||
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