For fans who haven’t been following the turmoil in Toronto, a lot has happened over the past week. In an attempt to break down everything in an easy-to-understand outline, the idea below is to summarize what’s all gone on, while also getting hockey fans up to speed on how a franchise often considered to be the top of the totem pole in the NHL has become one of the greasier, bitter, and more embarrassing stories in the league.
How It All Started to Fall Apart in Toronto
For years, the Maple Leafs were one of the league’s best regular-season teams. But, continued failures in the playoffs had almost everyone questioning whether the team had taken the right approach by staying loyal to the “core four” of Auston Matthews, Mitch Marner, William Nylander, and John Tavares. It was GM Kyle Dubas who refused to trade any of those players and built the roster around them. Up until this season, that plan had continually backfired.
Toronto got through the first round of this season’s playoffs by defeating the Tampa Bay Lightning. They then subsequently got beaten in five games by the Florida Panthers and any goodwill the team had built up was essentially gone.
The Toronto Maple Leafs’ recent exit from the playoffs has not only left fans disheartened but has also exposed the internal conflicts within the team’s front office. Dubas met with the media and said he wasn’t sure he wanted to return. Apparently, that he would announce as much publicly came as a surprise to President Brendan Shanahan and it strained their otherwise close relationship. Days later, Shanahan told Dubas he wouldn’t be offered a contract extension and it became clear there were conflicting visions and differing approaches to team management.
Maple Leafs’ Internal Struggles Unveiled
According to sources close to the team, Shanahan and Dubas had been at odds for quite some time. Shanahan, positioned at the top of the hierarchy, closely monitored and influenced Dubas’ decisions. James Mirtle of The Athletic reported that Shanahan exerted his authority by blocking transactions proposed by Dubas during critical moments over the past few seasons.
So, when Shanahan shared the entire narrative of why he chose not to extend Dubas, fans quickly learned the initial plan was to retain his services, but things quickly shifted. This revelation opened the door to potential changes in the management structure. Shanahan contended that Dubas wasn’t motivated to remain as GM. They needed someone ready to go, preferably experienced, and 100% commited.
Potential Candidates for GM
With the impending departure of Kyle Dubas, the Toronto Maple Leafs have reportedly compiled a list of potential candidates to fill the General Manager position. Among the notable names mentioned, former Calgary Flames GM Brad Treliving has emerged as a strong contender. Andy Strickland reports that the job may be Treliving’s to lose, however, other reports suggest that the Leafs are conducting a thorough evaluation process and are considering multiple candidates.
Jason Botterill, Marc Bergevin, and Peter Chiarelli are three other prominent figures on the Leafs’ list of potential GM interviewees. Frank Seravalli from Daily Faceoff confirms their involvement in the selection process. The inclusion of these seasoned executives indicates that the organization is exploring different avenues and seeking individuals with diverse perspectives and experiences.
While Brad Treliving has been consistently touted as a frontrunner for the position, it is important to note that the Leafs are committed to exploring all available options. Pierre LeBrun of TSN suggests that the team will indeed engage in discussions with the candidates on their list, even if Treliving winds up being the guy.
Meanwhile, Dubas’ name has popped up as a candidate for the Pittsburgh Penguins’ GM job, even if he stated publicly that he wasn’t ready to jump back into a major executive role with another team during his end-of-season media avail.
