The Toronto Maple Leafs have decided to part ways with general manager Kyle Dubas, sparking outrage among fans who believe the NHL team has made a major mistake.
Dubas’ contract, set to expire on June 30, will not be renewed after his five-season tenure at Scotiabank Arena. Despite making significant progress this season, including ending a 19-year playoff series win drought, the Leafs faltered against the Florida Panthers in the following round, despite being the favorites.
Under Dubas, the Leafs had one of their best seasons in recent memory, and fans have come to appreciate his contributions since he joined the team in 2018. However, the team appears to be seeking a reset, and many see Dubas as being unfairly blamed for their shortcomings, making this decision highly controversial.
“I would like to thank Kyle for his unwavering dedication over these last nine seasons with the organization, including his last five as general manager,” said Brendan Shanahan, president and alternate governor of the Maple Leafs. “Kyle fostered a great culture within our dressing room and staff, and consistently pushed to make our team better season over season. We wish Kyle and his family the best moving forward and thank him for his valuable contributions.”
It remains unclear whether Dubas chose to leave or if the Leafs are pursuing a new direction, but the announcement has been met with significant backlash from fans.
One fan voiced their frustration, saying, “This club has decided to part ways with any hope of winning with this poor decision.” Another commented, “Disappointed. Dubas has done a phenomenal job and created a great culture. Good luck to him for the future. A big loss to the Leafs.”
Many fans echoed similar sentiments, with one stating, “Big mistake,” a comment that received widespread agreement. Another fan added, “This could be looked back on as a not-so-great moment in Leafs history if they don’t make the right hires going forward.”
“This feels like a huge loss today for this organization. Terrible decision in my opinion. Dude did everything right and the players/coaches couldn’t get it done,” speculated another fan.
While changes were anticipated following another disappointing Stanley Cup run, few expected Dubas to be the one to depart. Brendan Shanahan now faces increased pressure from fans to step down, and head coach Sheldon Keefe may also be concerned about his job security.
