Dubas named President in Pittsburgh, makes sure announcement hits right before big Leafs press conference
It was not exactly the news everyone was expecting, but it was certainly news. The Pittsburgh Penguins announced this morning that Kyle Dubas has accepted the position of President of Hockey Ops with the organization - the same position Brendan Shanahan holds for the Leafs. In what could be considered a parting shot at the Leafs, the announcement was made moments before Brad Treliving was introduced to the media as the Leafs' new GM.
During his season ending press conference with the Leafs, Dubas had said that he would be the GM of the Leafs or he would be taking time away and that we wouldn't see him "pop up" in a new city in the next week. Clearly that is not the case, but with how things ended in Toronto, it seemed to light the fire under Dubas again to prove that he can, in fact, get the job done.
Fenway Sports Group, the owners of the Penguins, released a statement welcoming Dubas to the organization saying, "We are thrilled to welcome Kyle to the Pittsburgh Penguins. Throughout his career, Kyle has proven himself as a forward-thinking hockey mind and embodies all of the qualities - integrity, intelligence, and an unwavering commitment to building a winning culture - that we value in a leader at the Penguins and within Fenway Sports Group. We have done exhaustive work narrowing down candidates throughout this process, but it did not take long to be impressed by Kyle, the reputation he's cultivated for himself in and around the National Hockey League, and his vision for the organization on and off the ice. His passion for the sport and ability to foster collaborative relationships with his staff, coaches and players is the type of leadership style that will undoubtedly resonate with the front office and set us on a new path for success in the near-term with our current championship-caliber core and beyond with a commitment to sustainable, long-term success."
Dubas also released a statement saying, "On behalf of my family, we are thrilled to join the Pittsburgh Penguins organization and all of the incredible people across Fenway Sports Group. I am deeply appreciative of the opportunity that lies ahead of me. The ownership group, FSG leadership and the Penguins staff on the ground in Pittsburgh have been absolutely outstanding. Everyone has demonstrated a clear commitment to building a best-in-class hockey operation."
The Penguins were rumoured to be finished with their search for a GM and President until it was announced that Dubas would not be returning as Leafs GM. From that moment on, the Penguins zeroed in on him and made him a part of their organization. Dubas got what he wanted in terms of the power to make moves quicker in his new position, which seemed to be the catalyst for his release from Toronto.
| POLL | ||
1 JUIN | 300 ANSWERS Dubas named President in Pittsburgh, makes sure announcement hits right before big Leafs press conference Did Dubas thumb his nose at Shanahan and the Leafs with the timing of his announcement? | ||
| Yes, absolutely | 236 | 78.7 % |
| No, it was probably a coincidence | 64 | 21.3 % |
| List of polls | ||
