Kyle Dubas signing Ville Koivunen to an astronomical eight-year, $32 million contract extension has stunned the hockey world and renewed debate among the Toronto media about the former Toronto Maple Leafs GM's negotiating tactics.
During his time in Toronto, Dubas was accused by many of acquiescing to the demands of his star players while negotiating new contracts. His contracts for Maple Leafs star players Auston Matthews, Mitch Marner, William Nylander, and John Tavares left Toronto with little salary cap space to provide depth on the roster, limiting the team's ability to contend.
The head-scratching extension of Koivunen by the Pittsburgh Penguins' GM has put Dubas under the microscope by those who used to cover him in Toronto. The topic was a point of contention on a recent episode of TSN's OverDrive.
TSN's OverDrive Blasts Dubas' Contract History With Maple Leafs
OverDrive host Bryan Hayes called the Koivunen contract an "interesting piece of business" from Dubas, then asked co-host Dave Feschuk for his take. The Toronto Star columnist said Dubas built a reputation in Toronto "of being one of the worst negotiators we've ever laid eyes on."
The panel agreed his poor dealings were with the Maple Leafs' best players. "Negotiations should be give and take, and Mr. Dubas just gave and gave and gave," said Feschuk. In Feschuk's opinion, the Maple Leafs couldn't build a deep enough roster because half of their salary cap was tied up in deals to their best players.
After reviewing the NHL numbers of Koivunen, 47 games played, 2 goals and 12 assists for 14 points, Hayes called the eight-year commitment with a $4 million AAV "absurd." Hayes lamented the way NHL teams now have to try and get out in front of contracts for young players, paying them based on potential rather than performance.
Hayes said Dubas never tried to do that in Toronto, taking too much time to get contracts done. Hayes explained that Dubas, following the "if you have time, use it" advice of mentor Lou Lamoriello, was costly in Toronto. He called it "the worst advice you could have got."
"That's why Hyman left when he left. That's why Marner stuck it to you, because you weren't willing to jump the gun," Hayes exclaimed. He added, "It's why Matthews did it. It's why Willie did it. They all screwed you in the end because you took your time."
The OverDrive host bemoaned that Dubas was not proactive in his Maple Leafs' contracts by "paying a little bit more now, so that it's worth it down the road." Hayes called it "somewhat fascinating" that Dubas is trying an opposite strategy with the Koivunen deal, especially since it is unlikely that anyone else in the league would be willing to do that contract.
The TSN OverDrive panel dismissed Koivunen's signing as "just another guy." By committing significant resources to a player viewed as average, Dubas reinforced his reputation as a player-friendly negotiator, offering a stark reminder of his time in Toronto. For the Maple Leafs and their fanbase, the extension serves as validation of the long-term costs associated with his negotiating style.
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