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Toronto Maple Leafs: Is Anyone Else a Pittsburgh Penguins Fan Now?

By Stephen Nixon

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - APRIL 13: General Manager Kyle Dubas of Toronto Maple Leafs (R) arrives for the game against the New York Rangers at Madison Square Garden on April 13, 2023 in New York City. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - APRIL 13: General Manager Kyle Dubas of Toronto Maple Leafs (R) arrives for the game against the New York Rangers at Madison Square Garden on April 13, 2023 in New York City. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) /
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The Toronto Maple Leafs will look virtually the same next year, despite having new blood.

When Brad Treliving was named the newest GM of the Toronto Maple Leafs, change was expected. A fresh face usually cleans house, but it doesn’t look like that’s happening, at least not soon.

The  Leafs have some of the most talented players in the NHL, but they haven’t won anything yet. With Kyle Dubas gone, you would’ve expected Treliving to make a splash immediately, but I don’t think that’s going to happen.

Unfortunately we’ll be stuck with an incredible regular season team who falls apart in the spring.

With that being said, is anyone following Dubas to Pittsburgh to become a Penguins fan?, Because, I just might. For the first time in 20 years, the Leafs had stability and it was all thanks to Dubas. Sure, Brendan Shanahan convinced the Board of Directors that this team needed to tank before it got better, which led to Auston Matthews, but his lack of leadership since has cost this team.

He made the right decision in giving Dubas the reigns and after he finally put his true footprint on this roster, he let him go. In my opinion, Dubas was just getting started and the team would’ve been in a great spot with him this year.

It sort of reminds me of artist Mac Miller, who’s best album’s came right before his death and post death.

Any Toronto Maple Leafs Fans Now Penguins Fans?

He was just hitting his stride, finding his voice and giving us the real Mac, that would make him a hip-hop superstar, but he unfortunately passed right as he was hitting his peak and didn’t get to see his fans fall in-love with his latest album’s.

In a somewhat similar fashion, if the Leafs win next year, Dubas’ legacy will still be all over this roster for the 2023-24 season and he unfortunately won’t get to be apart of the success.

If the Leafs win, he’ll be a big reason for it, especially if the team is able to bring back the likes of Ilya Samsonov, Ryan O’Reilly, Noel Acciari or follow his blueprint of “stud’s and dud’s”.

I’m so interested to see what happens now with Dubas in Pittsburgh. Out of spite, I almost want the Penguins to do better than the Leafs this year and win a Stanley Cup.

With Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin and Kris Letang still under contract, Pittsburgh’s still a legitimate contender, especially since they’re led by Dubas. He has the offensive firepower up-front but can also maneuver the roster to sign players who are undervalued for cheap contracts.

Next. Leafs Will Lose Fanbase If They Run It Back. dark

Obviously, I’m kidding that I would like to see the Penguins win a championship over the Leafs, but it’s no secret that I have a second favorite team this year and wish Pittsburgh nothing but success this season.

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