Kyle Dubas appears to be running the draft for Pittsburgh and Leafs Nation isn't too happy about it
As the playoffs rage on, the loyal and passionate fans in Leafs Nation are patiently awaiting the draft and free agency in just a few short weeks. For the Leafs, it will be a strange draft, with the GM of the team not present at the draft table, working the phones.
The reason why Treliving won't have a seat at the Leafs' draft table is because of a provisional agreement between the Leafs and Flames that would allow the Buds to interview ex-Flames GM Brad Treliving for their vacant GM job following the departure of Kyle Dubas. The Flames don't want Treliving using any of his knowledge of their draft preparations to get one up on them. However, it would appear as though the Leafs didn't bind Dubas' hands in the same manner when they granted him permission to interview for the Pittsburgh Penguins' President of Hockey Ops gig, meaning that Dubas, who is also the acting GM in Pittsburgh, will run the draft for the Pens mere weeks after being let go in Toronto.
Leafs Nation isn't too keen on the idea of Brendan Shanahan giving Kyle Dubas the opportunity to use his knowledge of the Leafs' draft preparations with another franchise here - especially with how everything ended between the two sides. Shanahan was not only complimentary of the work Dubas had done in Toronto during his press conference to announce Dubas' termination. He also announced during Brad Treliving's introductory presser that he had vouched for Dubas and gave him a glowing review to Fenway Sports Group to help him secure the job in Pittsburgh. Meanwhile, Dubas didn't mention Shanahan or the Leafs at all during his introductory presser in Pittsburgh. There definitely seems to be some ill will there.
One theory that is making the rounds right now is that the Leafs don't mind Dubas working this draft because it won't impact them nearly as much, as the Leafs only have 3 picks this year. As of right now, the Leafs own Boston's 1st rounder (28th overall) and their own 5th and 6th round picks.
The other factor here is that perhaps Shanahan knows that the Leafs' head scout, Wes Clark, has done most of the prep work for the draft and had not yet fully briefed Dubas on who the Leafs may end up targeting. It's really tough to ascertain why Dubas was allowed to participate in the draft for Pittsburgh while Treliving was not allowed the same leeway from Calgary, but either way, with July 1st on the horizon, I'm sure Treliving has plenty of plans in mind to make his own imprint on this Leafs team.
| POLL | ||
JUIN 7 | 577 ANSWERS Kyle Dubas appears to be running the draft for Pittsburgh and Leafs Nation isn't too happy about it Should Kyle Dubas be able to run the draft for the Penguins if Treliving can't be present for the Leafs? | ||
| Yes, it's fine | 190 | 32.9 % |
| No, it's BS! | 387 | 67.1 % |
| List of polls | ||
