The Toronto Maple Leafs recent game against the Pittsburg Penguins carried more meaning than a usual regular-season visit.
The contest marked former Toronto Maple Leafs general manager Kyle Dubas' return to the city. The two teams already met earlier in the year in Pittsburg with the Penguins coming out on top with a 3-2 victory.
While the Leafs are unlikely to admit it, they appeared to have extra motivation. They skated to their most lopsided win of the season by a score of 7-0 without their leading goal-scorer, Auston Matthews.
A subplot to the Leafs dominating performance was the unavailability of Dubas. Those interested in hearing from him would have to be content with the numerous camera shots of him
viewing from his perch above the ice.
Toronto Maple Leafs: Kyle Dubas Doesn't Owe Toronto An Explanation
Despite the Leafs winning a playoff round last spring, Dubas was drained after the Leafs were eliminated by the Florida Panthers.
His cryptic end-of-season press conference was the first sign that his return was not a slam dunk. Despite stating he could only see himself working with the Leafs, rumors persisted that the Penguins
were interested in his services.
After meeting with Dubas, team president Brendan Shanahan decided that
it was time to move on and find a new GM.
Dubas
had success in Toronto, so it was a sudden, unexpected development. Many questions surfaced. After the change was made, Shanahan gave his version of the events in a pres conference but Dubas refused
to talk with the media.
Months later, many were hoping that Dubas' return to Toronto would be the time when he opened up and gave his perspective on his exit from the Leafs.
While many, myself included, would like to hear his version of the events that led to his exit, it is none of our business.
One of the irremediable qualities of human nature is the need to know about the whispers surrounding other people.
For some, it's entertainment. Our emotions get caught up in the twists and turns of a good plot, especially in real life. We like a hero and a villain.
Dubas was hand-picked by Shanahan over more experienced hockey lifers. Then came the falling out between the two.
As president of a flagship franchise like the Toronto Maple Leafs, Shanahan needed to explain his reasons for the change.
As a former employee, Dubas does not need to explain himself. What transpired in those days after the end of last season was a personal employee-employer interaction.
The Toronto Maple Leafs are a very public, highly visible organization, but individual rights should not be ignored.
Kyle Dubas is well within his rights to keep details about his dismissal to himself.
It is time for us all to move on.