Photo credit: tsn.ca
MAR 17, 2023  (10:44 PM)
Report Predicts a Scary Future For the Leafs

Report Predicts a Scary Future For the Leafs

BY MACKENZIE STERN-KOLESNIKOW
Kyle Dubas, the current GM for the Toronto Maple Leafs is in the final year of his five-year contract with the Leafs. The contract has not been extended to a new contract, and it is currently unknown if he has been offered an extension.

Everyone is aware that the Leafs have not been able to get out of the first round of the playoffs since the 2003-2004 season, when they lost to the Flyers in the Conference Semi-Finals. They went 7 straight seasons without making the playoffs. They managed to break this streak in 2012-2013 before losing to the Bruins in the first round. The Leafs did not make the playoffs for the next 3 seasons, they have lost in the first round for their last 6 attempts.

Some of these losses were more painful than others, some were more confusing, but, it is evident that Dubas and the Leafs need to make it to the second round this season. Dubas has done a great job as the GM over the past few seasons, but it seems something always gets in the way when it comes to the playoffs.

Dubas recently acquired Ryan O'Reilly, Noel Acciari, Sam Lafferty, Jake McCabe, Luke Schenn and Erik Gustafsson. This is one of the deepest teams that Dubas has put together. If Dubas does leave the Leafs, he might go join the Ottawa Senators.


Dubas might be going to the Senators



The current GM for the Senators, Pierre Dorion, has been with the Senators since 2016, despite the fact that his contract does not end until 2024-2025, he is not so popular. He made quite the splash when he traded for Alex DeBrincat and signed Claude Giroux. Adding them to the list of drafted players including Brady Tkachuk, Tim Stutzle and Thomas Chabot. Despite these additions, the Senators are still struggling to make the playoffs. They have not made the playoffs since their Conference Finals run in the 2016-2017 season. They are currently 8 points out of the wild card race.

Kyle Dubas was a Senators fan when he was growing up, which is a small connection, but there are two important factors that will impact his fate.

1.) Will the Leafs be able to win a playoff round with the roster that Dubas has put together?

2.) If Dubas leaves the Leafs, and Dorion leaves the Senators, will the position with the Senators appeal to Dubas? They have a solid team put together, and only need a few tweaks to have a good shot at the playoffs.

The Leafs still have 15 games left of the season before the playoffs start. The Leafs will likely face off against the Tampa Bay Lightning in round one.



As seen on Mapleleafsinsider - A nightmare scenario possible for the Leafs this summer, if a recent report is true
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