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3 Takeaways from the Toronto Maple Leafs Year-End Press Conference

By Stephen Nixon

TORONTO, ONTARIO - AUGUST 09: Nick Foligno #71 of the Columbus Blue Jackets scores a empty net goal at 19:37 as Auston Matthews #34 of the Toronto Maple Leafs looks on in Game Five of the Eastern Conference Qualification Round prior to the 2020 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Scotiabank Arena on August 09, 2020 in Toronto, Ontario. (Photo by Andre Ringuette/Freestyle Photo/Getty Images)
TORONTO, ONTARIO - AUGUST 09: Nick Foligno #71 of the Columbus Blue Jackets scores a empty net goal at 19:37 as Auston Matthews #34 of the Toronto Maple Leafs looks on in Game Five of the Eastern Conference Qualification Round prior to the 2020 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Scotiabank Arena on August 09, 2020 in Toronto, Ontario. (Photo by Andre Ringuette/Freestyle Photo/Getty Images) /
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Toronto Maple Leafs
DALLAS, TX – JUNE 23: (l-r) Kyle Dubas and Brendan Shanahan of the Toronto Maple Leafs . (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) /

#2. Shanahan Has Faith in Dubas

Brendan Shanahan has always believed in Dubas and although the team didn’t make the playoffs this year, nothing has changed.

After hiring Dubas as assistant general manager in 2014, the Toronto Maple Leafs have taken serious strides towards becoming a Stanley Cup contender. Starting with the development of the Toronto Marlies, Dubas showed Shanahan that he can create a winning environment and build a championship team.

It took him a few years to do so, but the Marlies were the most successful American Hockey League when he was in charge.Thanks to his success as Marlies G.M., Dubas was promoted to Leafs G.M., in May, 2018, so this is only his second full season as the boss.

As everyone knows, a G.M needs between 3-5 years to establish themselves and see the contracts or draft picks they’ve made turn out. You’re not going to build a team the way you want it in any less then that time-frame and since Dubas will be entering his third season as G.M. next year, Shanahan seems to understand that same philosophy.

The hiring of Sheldon Keefe is huge towards Dubas’ success and the tandem already showed in the AHL that they can win together. Hopefully with a full off-season and training camp, that duo can continue their success next year.

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