Wanted: A New Architect

You're likely aware that this blog doesn't write a lot of articles about the Toronto Maple Leafs as its writer - aka me - hold an "Anybody But Toronto" belief about hockey. Today seems like a good time for an exception, though, because it's hard to understand their move today in parting ways with general manager Kyle Dubas. The man who took over building this team in 2018 following Lou Lamoriello's departure has seen his team win one playoff round in five seasons, but it's hard to blame Dubas for the results on the ice when the players and coaching staff he's assembled is among the league's best.

Yes, we shouldn't gloss over the fact that the Leafs have fallen short of rather unrealistic expectations where Stanley-Cup-or-bust seems to be the only measure of success, but Dubas had done a number of things to put the Leafs on a path where continuous and sustained levels of success could be realized. He had a legitimate superstar in Matthews, he had a solid supporting cast in Tavares, Nylander, and Marner, and there were some good depth pieces that made the Leafs dangerous. Could goaltending improve? Sure, but there are only so many dollars available in a cap world and Dubas had put those eggs into his scoring depth basket.

Brendan Shanahan's press conference today really was confusing to me because he essentially said that one of the big factors in his decision to dismiss Dubas was Dubas' own meeting with the press where Dubas expressed that he needed to speak to his family about his future. Shanahan indicated that he agreed that the business of hockey was hard on families, but that the tone and massage expressed by Dubas in the press conference made him realize that Dubas may not want to be here in the future. I find that hard to believe if Shanahan's words about knowing him and working with him closely are true.

Whatever changed in Shanahan's thinking over the last few days after hearing Dubas' press conference will likely be discussed all summer long, but there is one certainity: Kyle Dubas is no longer part of the Toronto Maple Leafs' front office.

The strange part is that it seemed like the Leafs were prepared to move forward with Dubas and his plan despite the lack of playoff success that has plagued this franchise since 2003 after laying out the framework for a new offer on Monday. In short, it sounded like Shanahan still believed in Dubas' plan where changes would have to be made to become cap compliant once more, but Dubas had indicated that he wouldn't "take anything off the table" when it comes to making roster decisions, including looking at moving his core of four highly-priced forwards.

Shanahan echoed Dubas' sentiments on making changes to the team today, stating, "Me removing Kyle from the position of general manager isn't the solution. It's finding something that is a better fit as a solution and it's the same on the ice."

Shanahan continued to elaborate on that idea, adding, "I think that's what Kyle was saying, and I don't know how you could argue with that. If we find a way to make an improvement on the ice, then we have to explore that. That wasn't directed at any one player or any one position or any one job specifically. We are, every single year, looking to get better. Sometimes we're successful, sometimes we're not but that is always the goal."

If you asked me, I'd be questioning Brendan Shanahan commitment to the Leafs right now with that "sometimes we're successful, sometimes we're not" garbage at the end of his statement, but that's for Maple Leafs Sports and Entertainment to evaluate. What should be highlighted, though, is that the Leafs appear to be following Dubas' plan despite the architect of the plan being fired from the project. Good luck to the next GM who is hired by the Leafs and wants to install their own philosophy because it sounds like the Leafs are already sold on how to build their team.

I don't know who the Leafs consider as they move forward. Shanahan stated that he was going to "open-minded to all candidates" and that he would be open to hiring "an experienced general manager", so the names will likely be varied and diverse in their experiences and abilities. The odds say that assistant GM Brendan Pridham would be the best choice to step in as he could continue building this team in the same vision that Dubas had, but I'm sure we'll hear names of all sorts being thrown around at some point or another.

I'm not certain the Leafs will do better with whomever they hire, but it looked like Dubas' plan was starting to show signs of bearing fruit. With Tampa Bay taking steps back and Boston likely losing key players this off-season, the time for the Leafs to break free of those teams' shadows could have been next season. It still could happen, of course, but it will be with someone else getting credit for the work Kyle Dubas did over the last few seasons. If a few tweaks is all this team needs to take that next big step, the Leafs may have made a major mistake in not retaining the services of Kyle Dubas.

The Toronto Maple Leafs need a new architect if they hope to keep building on Dubas' blueprints. Or, in an insane world, perhaps the new general manager tears it all down and starts building anew. That's the risk the Leafs are taking in letting Kyle Dubas go.

Until next time, keep your sticks on the ice!