Are the Toronto Maple Leafs Changing G.Ms?

SUNRISE, FL - JUNE 26: Kyle Dubas Assistant General Manager of the Toronto Maple Leafs talks on the phone as President Brendan Shanahan looks on during the first round of the 2015 NHL Draft at BB
SUNRISE, FL - JUNE 26: Kyle Dubas Assistant General Manager of the Toronto Maple Leafs talks on the phone as President Brendan Shanahan looks on during the first round of the 2015 NHL Draft at BB

Kyle Dubas is rumored to become the Toronto Maple Leafs new GM this summer.

Speculation on the future of Dubas and Lamoriello picked up this weekend after the Toronto Maple Leafs were eliminated from the playoffs earlier in the week.  While Lou has signed a recent extension, it is thought that Dubas may be promoted while Lamoriello hands on in an advisory role before retiring.

Assistant GM Kyle Dubas, who currently serves as the Marlies GM and an assistant Leafs GM, has long been thought to be the successor in Toronto.

Previously, other teams have tried to hire (or at least interview) Dubas, but the Leafs have not allowed it, furthering speculation that he will be promoted soon.  Dubas is considered one of the best young minds in the game and if Toronto doesn’t promote him soon, he will be given a GM job with another team.

Kyle Dubas

Dubas is no stranger to the position of GM. He started his GM career at the age 25 for the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds. When signing with the Toronto Maple Leafs in the summer of 2014 he became the GM of the Toronto Marlies and assistant GM to Dave Nonis.

After Nonis was fired in April 2015, Dubas fulfilled the interim position of GM with Mark Hunter. After the hiring of Lou Lamoriello, he has been quietly developing under the wing of the veteran. Seemingly destined to grow to the position of GM of the Toronto Maple Leafs.

More from Editor In Leaf

He is thought to be the architect of the Phil Kessel trade, which, considering Kessel’s near-max length/value contract, has turned out to be pretty good – netting the Leafs Kasperi Kapanen, and helping them to acquire both Auston Matthews and Freddie Andersen.

Potential

The potential of Kyle Dubas is deemed high. No wonder multiple NHL organizations were interested in talking with him for a position. The Leafs, however, were not interested in letting Dubas go. Only confirming suspicions they have bigger plans for him.

As GM for the Marlies and Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds, Dubas has done well. Especially his time as GM for the Marlies and working closely with Lou Lamoriello should have prepped him for a career as GM of the Toronto Maple Leafs. Should Lamoriello transition to an advisory role, Dubas will be surrounded with plenty of experiencing to help him get the job done.

Since this is the Toronto Maple Leafs were talking about, we’ve got to sort through dozens of media reports, all the while knowing that the organization is enveloped in a cone of silence that allows almost no ‘inside’ information to slip out.

Next: Traversing the Road Ahead

The Leafs might make Dubas their GM tomorrow. They might also do something completely unsuspected.  At this point, there’s no way to know.

What do you think is going to happen?