Insider believes we have it all wrong on why Dubas hasn't been given an extension yet
When the Toronto Maple Leafs and general manager Kyle Dubas announced earlier in the season that the two sides would not negotiate a new contract until the 2022-23 season was over, speculation started that Leafs President Brendan Shanahan was waiting to see what the results of the year would be. Would Dubas finally break the first round curse, or would the team falter at the most important time once again. One Insider believes we have it all wrong, though. That it isn't the Leafs who are holding the cards, but Dubas himself.
In his latest column for the Toronto Star, former NHLer Nick Kypreos states it isn't the Leafs who are holding out, but Dubas, to ensure he has the best possible negotiating position. Kypreos believes Dubas is essentially betting on himself and the market demand that will likely surround him when his contract is officially up at the end of June.
This point makes a lot of sense. There are already rumours of teams like the Pittsburgh Penguins and Ottawa Senators being very interested in Dubas's services. Despite the first-round curse, Dubas and head coach Sheldon Keefe have iced a Toronto team that hasn't looked or played this well in years. A deep playoff run would only make Dubas all the more powerful when it comes to negotiating a new deal.
| POLL | ||
Will Dubas return as GM of the Leafs next year? | ||
| Yes, 100 percent | 197 | 48.9 % |
| No, I think he gets ditched | 76 | 18.9 % |
| No, I think he chooses to go elsewhere | 74 | 18.4 % |
| Not sure | 56 | 13.9 % |
| List of polls | ||
