‘It was an honor’: Kyle Dubas addresses departure from Toronto Maple Leafs
Former Toronto Maple Leafs GM Kyle Dubas has published his first statement since being released by the team on Friday, saying he needed to take some time away to spend time with family.
Dubas was released before the Canadian long weekend just days after sharing doubt of his future in a press conference with Toronto media last Monday. Dubas spent nine years with the organization, including five as GM after taking over for Lou Lamirello.
onward. pic.twitter.com/kHlCfe8Q0a
— Kyle Dubas (@kyledubas) May 23, 2023“While I understand there is interest surrounding the circumstances of my departure, I will not get into the specifics of what I consider to be reasonable and consistent but private discussions. In the days that I felt
I needed to assess and evaluate my own view of the future, both with respect to the necessary direction of the Club and ensuring that I had the full support of my family for what I knew would be required in the off-
season and years to follow, the organization, as is their right to do, decided to go in a different direction.
In the nine seasons since being afforded the opportunity to work in the National Hockey League for the Toronto Maple Leafs, we have had the chance to learn a lot and have grown significantly through the ups and
downs. We have watched our family double in size while developing meaningful relationships which will last a lifetime. It was an honour to be able to work in such an inspiring place, with dedicated, loyal people and an
extremely passionate fan base. The impact of that and the relationships with all of the people at MLSE, from the board of directors through to the ushers at Scotiabank Arena, will forever hold a dear place in our hearts.
“To the players, coaches and staff at the facility each day, past and present, thank you for your passion and commitment at every step of the journey together. It was a tremendous pleasure to work alongside you each day. We will roll from here.
The Maple Leafs have yet to announce a replacement for Dubas.
On Friday, president Brendan Shanahan gave a detailed recount of the events in the lead-up of Dubas’ firing. Shanahan said the team was prepared to offer him a new contract once the season ended, but that the line of thinking began to change after Dubas addressed the media.
“It was a very real possibility at that point that I would be needing to look somewhere else,” Shanahan said.
Shanahan then said Dubas presented a new financial package for a new contract extension on Thursday evening. By then, Shanahan had gotten to a different place about the future of the Maple Leafs. On Friday morning, he drove to Dubas’ office at the Ford Performance Centre and told him they were moving on from Dubas as manager before making the announcement just before noon today.
Dubas was the first GM in the salary cap era to lead the Maple Leafs to the second round of the Stanley Cup playoffs. Toronto was eliminated earlier this month after falling to the Florida Panthers in five games.