Spezza, who worked side by side with Dubas throughout the 2022-23 season resigned with the Leafs the very same day that they fired Dubas, showing his undying loyalty to his former GM.
Dubas issued a formal statement regarding Spezza's hiring in Pittsburgh:
Spezza spent 19 years in the NHL with the Ottawa Senators, Dallas Stars, and the Maple Leafs. He played in 1,248 games, scored 363 goals and 995 points, and spent the final 3 years of his career in Toronto.
He was seen as a valuable resource for Dubas - as the 2 got very close - in his short stint in the front office and was always believed to be heading to Pittsburgh once the news on Dubas was made official.
POLL | ||
14 JUIN | 498 ANSWERS Kyle Dubas officially hires former Leafs executive as AGM in Pittsburgh Are you surprised by Dubas making Spezza an AGM in Pittsburgh? | ||
Yes, that's a significant role for Spezza | 24 | 4.8 % |
Not surprised at all | 386 | 77.5 % |
Don't care | 88 | 17.7 % |
List of polls |