Maple Leafs analyst and insider Nick Alberga reports that the Toronto Maple Leafs are currently standing pat on signing Dillon Dube, as they await training camp.
With the Toronto Maple Leafs looking to add a potential name last minute to their roster such as Jack Roslovic, there are questions about whether they have enough room both for cap and roster space, plus the internal battle is already going to be intense.
One other name who was kicking around recently is reinstated forward Dillon Dube, as he could provide a solid middle-six option for Toronto and already has history with GM Brad Treliving.
Although there might be some backlash regarding a potential signing, there's no doubt that he would add some much needed offensive help and with a chip on his shoulder could be motivated to overperform.
Where the Maple Leafs Stand on Dillon Dube Right Now
However according to Maple Leafs analyst and Leafs Morning Take co-host Nick Alberga; there's no real interest as of yet:
Per team source, Leafs haven't explored Dube as an option to this point. Management is currently focused on seeing how camp goes.
Alberga also wrote an article regarding why Dube might not fit, and these reports seem to confirm his suspicions:
For my money, though, the Leafs already have plenty of Dillon Dube type players. He's not a difference maker, he's a complimentary piece. In a perfect world, he's probably in your bottom-six. I just don't know where the fit would be.
Things can change over the next month, but right now, Toronto's not in a position to add another depth forward, especially someone coming off a lengthy suspension. I don't see this one happening, folks.
Maple Leafs Holding Off on Decisions Until Camp Clarity
Dube, 27, does have some scoring chops with 127 points in 325 games (57 goals, 70 assists) and also adds some physicality; he was drafted by Calgary 56th overall in 2016 when Treliving was helming the Flames front office.
Plus with the possibility Toronto brings in someone like Andreas Athanasiou, Matt Nieto or even Max Pacioretty back on a PTO, it's unlikely they want to bring in another similar body with so much baggage.
So it's looking like if Dilllon Dube wants to continue his NHL career, he'll have to do it elsewhere, and could look to be like his former World Junior teammate and head overseas; far, far away from all the chatter and bright lights.