With their elimination still a fresh wound to the Leafs and Leaf fans, there are mixed opinions about what changes should and could happen. One of those changes that people are split on is whether Kyle Dubas should stay or go.
During Saturday's broadcast of the Seattle and Dallas game, Elliotte Friedman reported in the intermission that he believes the Leafs, MLSE specifically, have already held extension talks with Kyle Dubas in the hours since the Leafs have been eliminated. Many may not be fans of Dubas signing an extension, but as the old saying goes "it's better to go with the devil you know than the one you don't." In the case of Dubas, he has done everything he could possibly do to help the Leafs go on a playoff run. He has pivoted in his strategies for how the team is made up and brought in the playoff type players the team needed this season.
Let's not also forget that Auston Matthews is due to sign an extension as of July 1st and if the Leafs want the best chance of re-signing him to a long-term deal, it's best to have the GM that has a relationship with him negotiate the deal. The same can be said for William Nylander. Additionally, Dubas deserves the opportunity to be the one to make any significant changes to the "Core 4", should he and the rest of management determine that is the best course of action.
With Dubas' contract expiring June 30th and with Matthews' no-movement clause kicking in July 1st, sorting out Dubas' contract has to be done sooner than later so that whoever is GM can get a firm answer from Matthews as to whether he plans to stay or go before he controls his own fate.
Friedman also stated that the Leafs will want to get this done quickly, as there is a lot on the docket for the Leafs this summer, including a pair of Core 4 players requiring contract extensions. There are also a number of UFA's and RFA's in need of new deals. The belief is that Dubas wants to be paid handsomely, especially if there are tentative offers expected to come from Ottawa and Pittsburgh, among others.
