According to hockey insider Chris Johnston, the MLSE board is finally willing to grant Kyle Dubas a contract extension after declining to do so last summer, but there’s a desire to wrap things up quickly. We’re talking as early as Tuesday or Wednesday, according to sources.
Emotional Dubas leaves future with Maple Leafs in doubt - NorthStar Bets
Without knowing the extent of his family situation – or being able to fully measure the human cost of investing everything he had into being Leafs GM – it seemed at least plausible that Dubas may be burnt out.
And if that’s the case, the 37-year-old should be granted the space and privacy needed to take care of matters far more important than chasing a Stanley Cup.
Except the challenge hanging over this particular situation is time.
The MLSE board is finally willing to grant Dubas a contract extension after declining to do so last summer, but there’s a desire to wrap things up quickly. We’re talking as early as Tuesday or Wednesday, according to sources.
While that makes logistical sense given the volume of looming decisions – making a determination on Sheldon Keefe and his coaching staff, finalizing draft preparations, working out a contract extension with Auston Matthews (and possibly William Nylander), exploring the market for core-altering trades – it’s going to be a tight turnaround for someone in the mindspace we saw Dubas display.
In the event he decides to walk away, as unfathomable as that seems, the Leafs would need to scramble quickly for a Plan B.
Perhaps it’s as simple as promoting assistant general manager Brandon Pridham, who has been with the organization since August 2014 as a salary cap specialist and has since added important responsibilities like taking the lead on contract negotiations. He’s a valued asset that would provide continuity and has been linked to the ongoing Calgary Flames GM search.
Many of the external candidates are well down the road in the process for other job openings, although one that isn’t – recently departed Flames GM Brad Treliving – would likely be of strong interest.
Again, though, we are only a little more than six weeks out from the start of free agency. The timing won’t allow for a comprehensive search.
Notably, Leafs president Brendan Shanahan elected not to join Dubas for Monday’s year-end media availability, which is a significant departure from past practice. Shanahan will speak in the coming days, according to Leafs PR.
Emotional Dubas leaves future with Maple Leafs in doubt - NorthStar Bets
Without knowing the extent of his family situation – or being able to fully measure the human cost of investing everything he had into being Leafs GM – it seemed at least plausible that Dubas may be burnt out.
And if that’s the case, the 37-year-old should be granted the space and privacy needed to take care of matters far more important than chasing a Stanley Cup.
Except the challenge hanging over this particular situation is time.
The MLSE board is finally willing to grant Dubas a contract extension after declining to do so last summer, but there’s a desire to wrap things up quickly. We’re talking as early as Tuesday or Wednesday, according to sources.
While that makes logistical sense given the volume of looming decisions – making a determination on Sheldon Keefe and his coaching staff, finalizing draft preparations, working out a contract extension with Auston Matthews (and possibly William Nylander), exploring the market for core-altering trades – it’s going to be a tight turnaround for someone in the mindspace we saw Dubas display.
In the event he decides to walk away, as unfathomable as that seems, the Leafs would need to scramble quickly for a Plan B.
Perhaps it’s as simple as promoting assistant general manager Brandon Pridham, who has been with the organization since August 2014 as a salary cap specialist and has since added important responsibilities like taking the lead on contract negotiations. He’s a valued asset that would provide continuity and has been linked to the ongoing Calgary Flames GM search.
Many of the external candidates are well down the road in the process for other job openings, although one that isn’t – recently departed Flames GM Brad Treliving – would likely be of strong interest.
Again, though, we are only a little more than six weeks out from the start of free agency. The timing won’t allow for a comprehensive search.
Notably, Leafs president Brendan Shanahan elected not to join Dubas for Monday’s year-end media availability, which is a significant departure from past practice. Shanahan will speak in the coming days, according to Leafs PR.
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