• Powered by Roundtable
    David Alter
    David Alter
    Apr 9, 2024, 15:25

    It wasn't the first time the former Maple Leafs GM returned since becoming President of the Pittsburgh Penguins, but there was certainly more at stake.

    It wasn't the first time the former Maple Leafs GM returned since becoming President of the Pittsburgh Penguins, but there was certainly more at stake.

    Former Toronto Maple Leafs GM Kyle Dubas and former player Jason Spezza made their second visit back to Scotiabank Arena on Monday since both departed the organization in May.

    During his first visit, Dubas refused to speak about the circumstances that led to the non-renewal of his contract by Maple Leafs President and Alternate Governor Brendan Shanahan and that remains the case today. But more pressing this time around for the Penguins was their desire to grab two points and keep their playoff hopes alive.

    The Leafs defeated the Penguins 3-2 in overtime, denying the club a badly-needed point that would have put them into a playoff spot had they received it.

    Jake McCabe, a player Dubas acquired for the Maple Leafs via trade last season, scored the overtime winner and Sportsnet's broadcast of the game caught Dubas and Spezza's reaction following the goal.

    You can't blame Dubas or Spezza for not being pleased at losing the game given the stakes but how they got into this spot when they were so far on the outside looking in two weeks ago is quite amazing.

    The Leafs moved to just three points back of the Florida Panthers for second place in the Atlantic Division while also holding a game in hand.

    The Maple Leafs and Dubas parted ways in May after he served a five-year term as GM in Toronto. Upon deciding to part ways with Dubas, Shanahan revealed details about the contract negotiations between the two parties. Dubas, who went on to become President and GM of the Penguins has refused to give his side of the story, although never closed the door fully on doing it someday.

    After Shanahan decided to part with Dubas, Spezza tendered his resignation with the Leafs and joined Dubas' front office in Pittsburgh as an assistant general manager.

    Image

    Related

    'It's Still Crazy': Maple Leafs React to Auston Matthews' 65th Goal to Match Active NHL Record

    'S*** Happens': Maple Leafs Prospect Roni Hirvonen's Career-Threatening Eye Injury, His Difficult Year, and How He Persevered Through It

    'A Lot Of Nights He's Been The Player': William Nylander Nearing First 100-Point Season Before Playoffs Begin

    News from THN.com

    NHL Three Stars: Lightning's Stamkos and Kucherov Own the Ice along with Penguins' Nedeljkovic

    Seven Intriguing NHL Entry-Level Deals Signed in the Past Month

    The Capitals and Islanders Could Both Miss the Playoffs Because of a Skills Competition