Dubas acknowledges his biggest error as the Maple Leafs' general manager
Photo credit: Pierre LeBrun
In a revealing segment from a book by The Athletic's Craig Custance, former Maple Leafs GM Kyle Dubas identifies his biggest mistake while at the helm in Toronto.
Despite the mixed reviews he received for his management decisions, it's his handling of contract negotiations that stands out as his principal regret.
Dubas, whose leadership was often scrutinized in Toronto, eventually parted ways with the Maple Leafs, taking up a new role with the Pittsburgh Penguins. His time in Toronto was marked by ambitious moves and high expectations, none more so than the signing of John Tavares—a decision that Dubas now reflects on with a critical eye. Contrary to what many might think, Dubas revealed that his biggest misstep was not the hefty contract awarded to Tavares but rather the ripple effect it had on subsequent negotiations.
"The biggest mistake I think I've made in my whole time here has been not taking care of the three incumbent contracts," Dubas shared with Custance. "William Nylander was up, Mitch Marner and Auston Matthews could have been done on July 1 extensions. The thing I learned was once we signed John to the [AAV] we did, it lifted the lid on the entire ceiling."
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This candid admission highlights a strategic blunder: by setting a high benchmark with Tavares' contract, Dubas inadvertently escalated the financial expectations of other key players. This not only complicated the team's salary cap management but also set a precedent that would challenge the Leafs' financial flexibility in subsequent seasons.
Fans and analysts alike have long debated whether securing long-term agreements with Matthews, Nylander, and Marner before bringing Tavares aboard could have mitigated financial strains. The consensus seems to be that proactive negotiations could have saved the Leafs around $3 million—a significant margin considering the salary cap constraints.
As the Maple Leafs navigate another off-season with key players like Marner and Tavares eligible for extensions, and with Matthews and Nylander's contracts set to commence, the team's current GM, Brad Treliving, faces a daunting task with limited maneuverability.
Reflecting on his current role with the Penguins, Dubas appears to remain unswayed in his approach, continuing to secure veteran talents with substantial contracts in hopes of capturing another Stanley Cup for stalwarts like Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, and Kris Letang. This strategy, while ambitious, raises questions about whether Dubas has fully adapted from his experiences in Toronto or if he is poised to repeat history.
Previously on MapleLeafsLatest
| POLL |
12 JUILLET | 78 ANSWERS Dubas acknowledges his biggest error as the Maple Leafs' general manager What was Kyle Dubas' biggest blunder while he was GM of the Maple Leafs? |
| Not extending his top guys before Tavares signed | 6 | 7.7 % |
| Letting Zach Hyman walk | 46 | 59 % |
| Trading all of his draft picks for aging veterans | 23 | 29.5 % |
| Other | 3 | 3.8 % |
| LIST OF POLLS |
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