This weekend, Elliotte Friedman had reported that the Pittsburgh Penguins were going to seek permission to speak with Kyle Dubas. Now, according Friedman, as of Sunday evening the Pens were officially granted permission by the Leafs to speak with the former GM.
Friedman mentioned on his 32 Thoughts podcast that the Pens were very close to finishing their search for a new GM when they shifted gears and put things on hold for the opportunity to speak to Dubas. Reports have indicated that Dubas might be waiting for the Senators' ownership to be settled before attempting to step in with the Sens, but Friedman stated that it won't stop the Pens from pushing hard to land Dubas.
Needless to say, that if Dubas accepts a new GM role just weeks after saying it would be the Leafs or nothing, it likely has something to do with the chip on his shoulder, which was placed there by Brendan Shanahan and airing out everything to the media Friday.
Before Friday, Dubas had expressed an interest in returning as GM of the Leafs, even holding meetings in the days leading up to his dismissal in an attempt to set a course to improve the team this summer.
