The Toronto Maple Leafs discover themselves at a crossroads as questions on common supervisor Kyle Dubas’s future stays unsettled. Following the finish of the postseason, there was hypothesis that one among two issues would occur. First, Dubas would both be fired; or, second, he can be supplied a contract extension.
However, Dubas appeared to drag a card out of his sleeve that stunned everybody. During his end-of-season media presser, he hinted at the risk of stepping away and taking a while off.
At first, I believed it was simply if the Maple Leafs select to not lengthen him; nonetheless, as I learn or hearken to how others interpret Dubas’ feedback, it may additionally be that Dubas was pre-empting a Maple Leafs’ resolution by saying that he wanted a while off to have a sit down together with his household to debate the future – both manner the Maple Leafs determined.
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Hockey Insider Darren Dreger Sees Dubas Comment as a Surprising
TSN Hockey Insider Darren Dreger offered his personal insights into what he believes is unfolding on this scenario. According to Dreger, Brendan Shanahan, the president of the Maple Leafs, and the remainder of the group had been stunned by Dubas’ feedback. Now they’re a bit caught in no-mans land and are eagerly awaiting a call from Dubas about whether or not he’ll keep on together with his previous job or whether or not he’ll take a while off.
According to Dreger, Dubas has created a dilemma for the group. If I perceive Dreger’s ideas appropriately, it appears that evidently the workforce was anticipating Dubas jus to proceed to do his previous job till no matter occurred. Instead, Dubas advised them to attend. He wanted to speak together with his spouse and household.
The Dilemma Is that Someone Needs to Lead
The dilemma now lies in the incontrovertible fact that the Maple Leafs can’t afford to attend for much longer. A variety of essential selections need to be made. And these selections are removed from minor – they’ll form the franchise’s future. They want a pacesetter.

Obviously, the work of the administration workforce has continued behind the scenes. But, the downside is that somebody must step to guide. And that somebody appears to be Dubas. As a consequence, till Dubas’s future is settled, the group is in a state of uncertainty.
Dubas’ Comments Were Unexpected
Dubas’ assertion about the workforce doubtlessly needing a reset or recalibration caught many abruptly. It was anticipated that he would merely categorical his need to return to Toronto as the common supervisor, after which wait to see what the group determined. Few anticipated him to share his perception that the workforce wanted a special path and that he was going to seek the advice of together with his household FIRST about his future as a common supervisor.
Those who’re acquainted with the powerful Toronto market have to know that Dubas was in all probability deeply honest when he acknowledged that the season had taken a toll on his household. It’s additionally honest, since the group left him in limbo after they didn’t signal him to a contract extension, that he would reply in form.
Furthermore, his response appears logical. As he’s dealing with a time frame when he’s dealing with an finish to the job he’d held for a number of seasons now, maybe the workforce can wait till he talks together with his household. As he famous, he believes it will be unfair to decide to something with out contemplating their well-being.
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What Needs to Be Done by July 1
The Maple Leafs face an vital six weeks. The essential selections that must be made earlier than Canada Day embody what to do with these key gamers on the roster whose no-move clauses come into impact on Canada Day. Without selections about Auston Matthews, Mitch Marner, and William Nylander and their contract, the group can’t chart the new course Dubas hinted at. However, till Dubas’s scenario resolved, the workforce’s plans are on maintain. Who has the energy right here?
Has the uncertainty about Dubas’s future sparked a way of urgency inside the group? What will the group’s management workforce do with out having a common supervisor in place to information them by this vital part?
Is Dreger Saying that, Without Dubas, There is No Leadership?
Assuming the Maple Leafs have a proficient administration workforce, what function does Dubas play in main the workforce by the challenges that lie forward? It would appear the reply is that Dubas performs a big function.
According to Dreger, Dubas’ feedback about needing time to decide is an surprising flip of occasions and one which has large implications for the Maple Leafs.
The Organization Might Simply Can Dubas, But …
So what to make of Dubas’ feedback? There are a number of methods to see this unfolding.
Perhaps Dubas is simply calling honest play and in search of a little bit of a quid professional quo. He was made to attend, now he’s anticipating related conduct in return. That comes from a way of confidence.
Or, maybe Dubas is enjoying a little bit of a sport of hen. Might there be a problem to the Maple Leafs to indicate their playing cards? This, too, appears to return from a way of confidence.

Or maybe Dubas believes the group goes to let him go and he desires to wash out his personal desk earlier than being walked from the constructing. This would appear to indicate a way of defiance.
Finally, maybe it a easy and straight-up assertion that he merely values his household greater than he values the job as common supervisor for the Maple Leafs. Maybe it’s one thing that private and the resolution is his household’s – simply as he acknowledged. This would present a way of the place his true loyalty lie.
Whatever the Case, Dubas Has Made His Stand
In the coming days, we are going to all see how the group and Dubas work collectively to reconcile the scenario – in the event that they accomplish that. What has occurred is that the energy has shifted. Dubas is now not merely a (maple) leaf ready for the (group’s) wind to blow him wherever it would.
Dubas appears to have weighed his choices and decided the finest plan of action for himself and his household. Now the Maple Leafs are referred to as to reply.
If Dreger is appropriate, the decision of this query might form the way forward for one among the NHL’s oldest franchises. Maybe it wasn’t solely the Maple Leafs’ resolution in any case.
Related: Maple Leafs’ Offseason Plans: Dubas Sends a Huge Message