Yahoo Sports In the Mentions: Kyle Dubas won't be the one leaving if Leafs fail again
On the latest episode of In the Mentions, Omar says that because Kyle Dubas has made the Maple Leafs stronger on paper every season he's been at the helm as general manager, the focus will return to one of Toronto's four stars if the team fails to perform in the NHL playoffs.
Video Transcript
- So Kyle Dubas had his annual midseason press release. He obviously said a lot of things when it came to the deadline and what he wants to do. But one thing he said stood out the most.
KYLE DUBAS: Injury or ineffective play or whatever it may be or something that just glaringly stands out as a need may also enter the fray. And that's, again, how we'll have to adjust course, because we probably don't have a whole lot of bullets in the chamber here. We're going to have to pick and choose as we set our sights.
- Which is actually really interesting. Going into this season, I really did think that if the Leafs, you know, went to the playoffs and weren't able to get it done, that Dubas would be-- could be the one that ends up paying the price for it. But seeing how he's-- for another year, Dubas has made the team better on paper and on the ice, it really kind of leans to the idea that maybe if the Leafs do lose in the playoffs that it isn't Dubas who actually gets the hook.
Maybe it's something else. Maybe it finally is the core that actually is held accountable. And to be honest, when you think of-- when you think of the players on the court, Auston Matthews is a franchise player. John Tavares has a no movement clause. And William Nylander is arguably one of the best deals in the league.
So if it's not any of them, then that only leaves one name. And that's not to take away from the fact that Marner hasn't had an incredible year. I mean, he's currently on a ridiculous scoring pace. But again, if they go into the playoffs and Dubas continues to make the team better, and they can't get anything done, then maybe that's where the big next big move in the summer is for the Leafs.
