Everything was on course for Kyle Dubas to return as GM of the Toronto Maple Leafs. That was until Thursday when a counteroffer from Dubas' and his agent presented to President Brendan Shanahan made things go "to a different place."
Everything was on course for Kyle Dubas to return as GM of the Toronto Maple Leafs. That was until Thursday when a counteroffer from Dubas' and his agent presented to President Brendan Shanahan made things go "to a different place."
The drama that surrounded Kyle Dubas and his final season as general manager of the Toronto Maple Leafs began last summer. That's when team President Brendan Shanahan told Dubas he was going into the final season of his five-year contract without an extension.
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"I tried to reassure him that it wasn't a reflection of his future with the club," Shanahan explained of the conversation in a news conference on Friday. "I reminded him it was a situation I have found myself in a few years prior and it was my hope and my intention that at the end of the year and after being judged for the whole five years of his contract that we would be extending him moving forward."
Shanahan felt that Dubas handled that news well and prepared the team for success in 2022-23. He liked where the team was going and lauded Dubas' trade-deadline moves. In the middle of March, Shanahan said he began the process of talking to Dubas about an extension to remain GM beyond this season. Both parties agreed to continue the dialogue, but Shanahan would deal with Dubas' agent to continue to the conversation.
"They didn't want it to be a distraction for him and I certainly respected that," Shanahan said.
Conversations with Shanahan and Dubas' agent continued to a point where Shanahan said he felt comfortable with presenting Dubas with something that was "a finished deal that reflected what he wanted financially and what he wanted as a GM which is what was important to him," according to Shanahan.
One day after the Maple Leafs were eliminated by the Florida Panthers, Shanahan said he and Dubas exchanged texts. On Sunday, following a team photo, the two met in person in Shanahan's office and the president said he presented what he felt was a framework of what both he and Dubas' agent had discussed.
"Kyle took it and seemed pleased to receive that news so quickly," Shanahan said.
When Dubas went to work at Ford Performance Centre for exit interviews and addressed the media on Monday, Shanahan said he informed the GM that it was his intention not to speak until he had something settled with him as far as his future. Shanahan expressed to Dubas that the thought it wouldn't be a good idea to do media, either. But Dubas insisted.
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"I respected that. He felt his players were speaking, his coaches were speaking and that he should as well I respected his wishes."
When Dubas did speak, he expressed how hard the situation was on his family and that a deeper conversation was to be had there if he were to return. Shanahan acknowledged that this wasn't a complete surprise, given they had discussed the family element when they met on Sunday.
"It hard on all of our families, Shanahan said. "It's the job we choose. It's the sport we choose. We're very fortunate but it does not come without a toll on the families."
But when Shanahan watched Dubas' media call, there was a "dramatical shift" in his thinking.
"It was a real possibility that I would need to be looking somewhere else," Shanahan said.
The Leafs President and Alternate Governor said he and Dubas met privately on Wednesday and discussed the situation at length. "I had more questions than I had answers and I did not have clarity," Shanahan said. "It further made me feel there is a strong possibility that he may not want to be general manager of the Toronto Maple Leafs."
On Thursday, Shanahan said that Dubas communicated to him that his agent was going to call him and that Dubas would also reach out later in the day. In the call from Dubas' agent, Shanahan said that a new financial package was presented to him. He did not hear from Kyle until just before dinner when he emailed him saying he did want to be the GM of the Maple Leafs.
"At that point, if I'm being honest, I had gotten to a different place about how I felt about the future of the Toronto Maple Leafs and what was best," Shanahan said of Dubas. "A gap had risen within the contract status and but nevertheless, the email I received from Kyle, I just felt differently and I felt that the long-term future of the Maple Leafs might have to change.
Shanahan slept on that decision before waking up on Friday. He drove to Ford Performance Centre and met Kyle in his office and informed him that they wouldn't be renewing his contract.
Did this simply fall apart over money?
Shanahan said wouldn't say it was about money and felt that after Dubas' news conference with the media on the money he was "less sure" about the future of the GM position.
"I hadn't ruled Kyle Dubas out but I had to make sure I was thinking of other options.
What will the new GM look like?
Shanahan said he will keep an open mind as the search begins for a new GM but added one thing that Dubas did not have.
"Certainly having an experienced general manager would be an attractive quality."
The search for a new GM for the Maple Leafs begins immediately. He wouldn't rule ou anybody.
What role did the Maple Leafs Sports & Entertainment's Board of Directors have in making a decision on Dubas?
Shanahan said he communicated his thoughts with the board but it was ultimately his decision. "They were supportive. That is my job and my job is to make recommendations for them and that was my recommendation and decision.
What does the removal of Dubas mean for the future of Sheldon Keefe and other staff?
Shanahan says that those decisions should be the responsibility of the new GM. That means you likely won't see any clarity on that until a new person is in place. In the interim, Shanahan said he will lean heavily on Pridham.
He has already had talks with Director of Amateur Scouting Wes Clark about how to approach the upcoming NHL draft in June.
Whatever happens though, it doesn't sound like the foundation will change much without Dubas. At least, that's how Shanahan sees it.
"We've built something here," Shanahan said. "We have a lot of people coming back to work and doing their jobs and getting ready to do the things they were paid to do and that was encouraging."
Shanahan expressed an "urgency" to gave a new GM in place but to not have a hasty process. "I want to be thoughtful and thorough and it needs to happen rather soon."
What does this mean for the future of the Core Four?
In his last availability with the media, Kyle Dubas essentially left everything on the table for change at any level. That included the core four forwards of Auston Matthews, Mitch Marner, John Tavares and William Nylander.
That philosophy was echoed by Shanahan.
"Just being different doesn't solve something," he said. "Me removing Kyle isn't the solution. It's finding that is a better fit that is a solution and it's the same on the ice.
Dubas' side of the story unknown
Given the raw nature of the news, it's unlikely we hear from Dubas' side of the story until at least after his contract expires on June 30.
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