With the game out of reach, fans chanted at the Pittsburgh Penguins president and general manager in his first game since departing Toronto.
With the game out of reach, fans chanted at the Pittsburgh Penguins president and general manager in his first game since departing Toronto.
Toronto Maple Leafs fans were loving life at Scotiabank Arena on Saturday night when their club was leading 6-0 in the third period. That's when some DU-BAS chants broke out.
Dubas returned to Scotiabank Arena for the first time since the Maple Leafs elected not to renew his contract as general manager. He has since become the president and general manager of the Pittsburgh Penguins.
The former Leafs GM kept a low profile while returning to the city. He declined interview requests to speak about his tenure in Toronto, which began in 2014 when he was appointed an assistant general manager by team president Brendan Shanahan.
In 2018, Dubas was promoted to general manager shortly after Toronto moved on from previous GM Lou Lamoriello. As GM, Dubas consistently found regular-season success and in 2023, the Leafs won a playoff round for the first time in 19 years, defeating the Tampa Bay Lightning in six games.
During his end-of-season news conference, Dubas expressed doubt if he wanted to return, given the toll the job took on his family. Five days later, Shanahan opted not to renew Dubas' contract and expressed details in the negotiations that included a desire from the GM to return and ask for more money.
The GM has refused to speak on his side of the events that led to the end of his tenure in Toronto.
The Leafs brought in Brad Treliving to become the new GM a couple of weeks later. One of his free agent signings, Max Domi, led Toronto three points in their 7-0 win against Pittsburgh on Saturday.
Dubas first met his former club on Nov. 25 when the Penguins hosted the Maple Leafs. Pittsburgh defeated Toronto 3-2 in that contest.
The Leafs host the Penguins one more time this season, April 8, at Scotiabank Arena.
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