Insider reveals details about what is happening between Kyle Dubas and the Leafs
Since new broke in the off-season that Kyle Dubas would enter this season without a contract extension many have believed that his future is dependent on how the Leafs do in the playoffs this year, more particularly if they get out of the first round. However, Elliotte Friedman reported in his latest 32 Thoughts blog that he has spoken to a handful of teams that believe Kyle Dubas' future is more secure than many know.
Friedman mentioned that a number of executives on other teams don't believe that Dubas will be leaving Toronto, regardless of what happens in the playoffs. Friedman said that the executives he spoke to think that the rumours of Dubas leaving are various stakeholders trying to negotiate through the media with one executive saying, "He's got the best winning percentage (among GMs post-expansion) in franchise history... He's not going anywhere."
Here's Friedman's full quote from his most recent 32 Thoughts:
"Okay, Kyle Dubas. In the aftermath of the regular season, just talking to other teams, it's amazing how they perceive what's happening in Toronto. They find it hard to believe he's leaving. They think all these rumours are just various stakeholders sabre-rattling and negotiating through the media. "He's got the best winning percentage (among GMs post-expansion) in franchise history," one executive laughed. "He's not going anywhere." (Yes, yes, we all know and recognize the playoff issue.)
Remember the ownership structure in Toronto: Rogers (37.5 per cent), Bell (37.5 per cent) and Larry Tanenbaum (25 per cent). I do believe, at one point in relatively recent history, a contract extension for Dubas was proposed, only to be blocked because there wasn't enough ownership support. That's where Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment is right now.
I've mentioned this before, but firing Mike Babcock with $25M remaining on his contract changed the organizational dynamic for extending people. It affected the Masai Ujiri negotiations, now Dubas's (plus others we don't see publicly) and strained relationships across the organization. If Dubas indeed comes available, there will be plenty of interest. We'll see if everyone comes to their senses." - Friedman on the Leafs/Dubas discourse
Remember the ownership structure in Toronto: Rogers (37.5 per cent), Bell (37.5 per cent) and Larry Tanenbaum (25 per cent). I do believe, at one point in relatively recent history, a contract extension for Dubas was proposed, only to be blocked because there wasn't enough ownership support. That's where Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment is right now.
I've mentioned this before, but firing Mike Babcock with $25M remaining on his contract changed the organizational dynamic for extending people. It affected the Masai Ujiri negotiations, now Dubas's (plus others we don't see publicly) and strained relationships across the organization. If Dubas indeed comes available, there will be plenty of interest. We'll see if everyone comes to their senses." - Friedman on the Leafs/Dubas discourse
To think that Dubas would be ousted the same summer that Auston Matthews and William Nylander become eligible to sign contract extensions is a little bit silly. Dubas has a longstanding rapport with these guys. If you're MLSE and you want to get a deal done, Dubas is your guy. Bringing in a new GM this summer to upset the balance of what Dubas has built in Toronto and to chance losing Matthews and Nylander - I just don't see it. I really don't.
Previously on MapleLeafsDaily
| POLL | ||
AVRIL 18 | 363 ANSWERS Insider reveals details about what is happening between Kyle Dubas and the Leafs Will Dubas leave Toronto this summer, one way or another? | ||
| Yes | 134 | 36.9 % |
| No | 229 | 63.1 % |
| List of polls | ||
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