Toronto Maple Leafs General manager Kyle Dubas stated that he doesn’t have a contract beyond 2022-23 NHL season, but does not see it as a distraction for the team or himself.
Dubas said that “I’m more happy to go through this year and have it evaluated and then make the decision,” during Wednesday’s Toronto Maple Leafs camp.
Dubas was appointed general manager in May 2018. The Leafs reached the Stanley Cup playoffs each of those four seasons, but have not advanced past the first round NHL playoffs since 2004.
He stated that Brendan Shanahan, team president, told him after the Leafs had been eliminated in seven games by Toronto Tampa Bay LightningDubas would play this season with no extension to his contract.
“It’s the best for me. I can’t decide for the organization what it wants. Dubas stated that I only have control over what I can do each and every day. My view is that if we have the year we can achieve and the team plays the way it’s capable, it will take care of my situation without any problems. It doesn’t bother me.”
Dubas was asked about his uncertain future and whether it could be a distraction for team members, similar to how a player who is waiting for a new contract might feel in the dressing-room.
He said, “I know it won’t be distracting because it won’t be distracting,”
Dubas hired Sheldon Keefe as Leafs coach in 2019. He said that he expected the general manager to focus on this season, and not his contract.
“He is completely focused on the end goal. That’s to help the team win the Stanley Cup. Keefe, who knows Dubas from their junior hockey days, said that this is his sole focus. “I have worked with him for quite a while now. He has been through so much with me in many different situations. He hasn’t allowed anything to distract from the group or the job that he must do.”