Let's back up here
...after the game, one player gave the fans the salute... Komorav and Franson almost joined him. Phil Kessel went to Phaneuf and as leaders of the Leafs, made sure they snubbed the fans. Let's get one thing straight. You're hated. These players have about as much love for you as Melania has for Donald.
Criticize all you want, but organizationally, there's been big changes since Shanahan stepped in. 1. A much needed tear down, rebuild. 2. Culture changes. 3. Being a player-first club. 4. Treating players fairly.
What assets did Shanahan have? Pretty much every player another team might of wanted (and some players nobody wanted) had a trade clause and was probably over-paid. Dave Nonnis was so bad, the outcome was either burn up these contracts or retain like they did with Kessel. When you criticise problems with the Leafs salary cap, just remember that Dubas has: Jimmy Vessey, Nicholas Robertson, Jason Spezza, Joe Thornton, Zach Bogosian, Mikko Lehtonen, Rasmus Sandin, and Travis Dermott all on the Leafs roster for less we're still paying for Phil Kessel. If the goal was to have a nice house, the Leafs have had to tear it down to Rielly, Kadri, and maybe a few later round picks. The job would of been easier starting with a clean slate as an expansion club.
Dubas takes over. Kadri was already an interesting proposition for another team. He fools me once, twice... he's gone. Maybe he didn't want to go? But it was the best for everyone. Kadri's career is better off and had he stayed, one more mess-up might of ended Dubas's career. This was a deal, like Kessel's where you're taking the best you can get. We got rid of Zaitsev. We got rid of Marleau. We got rid of Babcock. Fans are upset the house isn't finished... but last year they were still doing some demolishion.
I honestly think this is season #1 where the Leafs might be at a point where during this rebuild, they're not demolishing but replacing and improving parts. Tyson Barrie was like a garage door that didn't match the rest of the house. Josh Leivo wasn't held hostage. But the flip side is, Dubas has other players willing to explore Toronto as a destination. In a city where the fans and media bring so much unrealistic expectations and hate towards the players, the team has shown it cares about them.
Keefe has just started... give the guy a chance.