A nightmare scenario possible for the Leafs this summer, if a recent report is true

As everyone is already painfully aware, the Maple Leafs haven't been able to get out of the first round since 2003-04 when they lost to the Philadelphia Flyers in the Conference Semi-Finals. They went 7 straight seasons without a post-season birth, qualified in 2012-13 before bowing out in the first round to the Boston Bruins in a disastrous manner, then missed the playoffs for 3 more seasons before bowing out in the first round in their last 6 attempts.

Some have been more painful than others, some have been head-scratchers, but regardless, Kyle Dubas and the Maple Leafs need to advance to the second round at the very least this season. He has done a good job over the past few seasons maneuvering around the COVID-stricken salary cap but something always seems to happen come playoff-time.

After acquiring Ryan O'Reilly, Noel Acciari, Sam Lafferty, Jake McCabe, Luke Schenn, and Erik Gustafsson ahead of the trade deadline, this could easily be the deepest team Dubas has assembled. Nevertheless, if he does depart for whatever reason, the Ottawa Senators could be in the running.

Pierre Dorion has been the general manager of the Ottawa Senators since 2016 and although he is signed through the end of the 2024-25 campaign, he's not necessarily off the hot seat. He made some big splashes this summer when he traded for Alex DeBrincat and signed Claude Giroux, adding them to the fray of drafted players like Brady Tkachuk, Tim Stutzle, and Thomas Chabot. However the Senators are still a ways away from sniffing a post-season birth. They've missed out every season since their Conference Finals run in 2016-17 and are currently 8 points out of the wild card race.

Kyle Dubas grew up as a Senators fan so there's some connection there - albeit a small one. However it all boils down to 2 key factors: 1) Can the Toronto Maple Leafs win a playoff series with the roster that Dubas has assembled? And 2) If let go or if he's not retained and Dorion is also let go, will the Senators job be enticing? They have a good young core, the rebuild is seemingly over with, and they are a few pieces away from contending for a legitimate playoff spot.

Until then, the Maple Leafs still have 15 games left on the season and a likely first round matchup against the Tampa Bay Lightning to worry about first.