Kyle Dubas will not return as Maple Leafs’ GM after 5 seasons

Kyle Dubas is not going to return as Toronto Maple Leafs‘ basic supervisor subsequent season, the membership introduced in an announcement on Friday. His contract is ready to run out on June 30.

“I want to thank Kyle for his unwavering dedication over these final 9 seasons with the group, together with his final 5 as Basic Supervisor,” mentioned Toronto’s president and alternate governor Brendan Shanahan in an announcement. “Kyle fostered an incredible tradition inside our dressing room and workers, and persistently pushed to make our group higher season over season. We want Kyle and his household the very best transferring ahead and thank him for his useful contributions.”

Dubas arrived in Toronto as an assistant basic supervisor — employed by Shanahan — in 2014. He additionally oversaw basic supervisor duties for the American Hockey League’s Toronto Marlies and led them to the franchise’s first Calder Cup championship in 2018.

On Might 11, 2018, Dubas was promoted to the final supervisor position after Toronto opted to not renew the expiring contract of then-GM Lou Lamoriello. Dubas was a key a part of constructing the Leafs’ nucleus from there, together with what’s turn out to be referred to as the group’s Core 4 of Auston Matthews, Mitch Marner, William Nylander and John Tavares. He additionally fired former coach Mike Babcock in 2019 and changed him with present bench boss Sheldon Keefe, whom Dubas had employed as coach of the Ontario Hockey League’s Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds when he was basic supervisor there in 2011.

The 37-year-old put collectively a powerful 221-109-42 NHL report within the common season throughout his tenure as Leafs’ basic supervisor, however the group ceaselessly stumbled via its postseason appearances. From 2016-2022, Toronto made six consecutive first-round exits from the playoffs; their first-round sequence win this 12 months over Tampa Bay marked the primary time the Leafs superior in a postseason since 2004. Toronto fell in 5 video games to Florida within the second spherical.

Throughout his finish of season media availability this week Dubas mentioned it was a “household choice” whether or not he’d return to Toronto, making it clear the final 12 months had been troublesome on the house entrance. Dubas additionally mentioned that if he wasn’t returning because the Leafs’ GM, he would not be taking a task wherever else, both.

Now that Toronto has readability on Dubas’ scenario, Shanahan tasks to instantly start a seek for his successor. Dubas’ departure additionally raises questions round whether or not Keefe will return because the Leafs’ head coach.

Shanahan will maintain a press convention at 3 p.m. EST on Friday.