Kyle Dubas breaks silence after dismissal from Maple Leafs
Posted May 23, 2023 10:57 am.
Last Updated May 23, 2023 11:50 am.
Former Toronto Maple Leafs executive Kyle Dubas broke his silence on Tuesday, days after the 37-year-old was let go as general manager.
President and Alternate Governor Brendan Shanahan announced on Friday that Dubas, who had been an integral part of the Maple Leafs front office for nine years, wouldn’t return as general manager.
Shanahan publicized a detailed timeline of the negotiations, saying he wanted the 37-year-old executive back and offered him a contract extension before changing his mind after Dubas spoke to the media at the end of the season.
In a statement on Tuesday, Dubas said he wouldn’t get into the specifics of his departure, noting the conversations he had with Shanahan and the Leafs to be “reasonable and consistent but private discussions.”
“In the days that I felt I needed to assess and evaluate my own view [of] the future, both with respect to the necessary direction of the Club and ensuring that I had the full support of my family for what I knew would be required in the off-season and years to follow, the organization, as is their right to do, decided to go in a different direction,” Dubas said.
Last week, Dubas elaborated on his future with the organization when he was asked if he wanted to return to be general manager. He said the season had been challenging for him and his family, noting it wouldn’t be fair to give a straight answer at the time of the press conference.
Shanahan expanded on that, revealing to the media that he had told Dubas he preferred the young exec wait to hold a press conference as negotiations between him and the Leafs were fluid and ongoing. Dubas declined and, according to Shanahan, felt that it was his right to speak.
RELATED: How the Kyle Dubas, Brendan Shanahan negotiation fell to pieces
That’s when Shanahan said his thinking shifted and acknowledged Dubas might not want to be with the team long-term.
Shanahan also disclosed that Dubas’ agent proposed a different financial package than what the team had offered, the same day Dubas allegedly emailed Shanahan telling him he wanted to stay on as general manager.
“In the nine seasons since being afforded the opportunity to work in the National Hockey League for the Toronto Maple Leafs, we have had the chance to learn a lot and have grown significantly through the ups and downs,” Dubas said on Tuesday.
“We have watched our family double in size while developing meaningful relationships which will last a lifetime. It was an honour to be able to work in such an inspiring place, with dedicated, loyal people and an extremely passionate fan base.”
onward. pic.twitter.com/kHlCfe8Q0a
— Kyle Dubas (@kyledubas) May 23, 2023
Dubas and his family thanked Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment (MLSE), saying the organization would “forever hold a dear place in our hearts.”
“To the players, coaches and staff at the facility each day, past and present, thank you for your passion and commitment at every step of the journey together,” he said. It was a tremendous pleasure to work alongside you each day. We will roll from here.”
Dubas had been with Toronto since 2014 after he was hired as a sought-after, up-and-coming executive with the OHL’s Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds. The 37-year-old was promoted to Toronto’s general manager in May 2018, when he replaced long-time executive Lou Lamoriello, now with the New York Islanders.
The same day it was announced that Dubas would not return, former player and Maple Leafs executive Jason Spezza resigned.
Shanahan confirmed that he would begin interviewing contenders to replace Dubas this week.
Some notable and reported candidates include current assistant general manager Brandon Pridham, former Calgary Flames executive Brad Treliving, former Montreal Canadiens executive Marc Bergevin, and Doug Armstrong, the current president and general manager of the St. Louis Blues, to name a few.
The Pittsburgh Penguins were recently granted permission to interview Dubas as the hockey club looks to hire a team president and general manager. Dubas’s contract with the Leafs officially expires on June 30, 2023.
