Noel Acciari Reveals the Reason Why He Signed in Pittsburgh

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Wade Messier
July 17, 2023 (11:33)

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It's been quite the eventful offseason for the Toronto Maple Leafs and their new management. New GM Brad Treliving is having to assess the team's future on the fly as he navigates his way through his first draft and free agent cycle with the Leafs. One player who was lost in the process was forward Noel Acciari and his reasoning for leaving the Leafs isn't what you think.

Acciari Wanted to Stay With Dubas

Noel Acciari inked a three-year deal worth $2 million annually with the Pittsburgh Penguins this summer. The veteran forward was traded to Toronto at last season's trade deadline, and it seems as though the impression then GM Kyle Dubas made on him was long-lasting.

«Kyle and I formed a bit of a relationship toward the end there in Toronto and he told me the plan for Pittsburgh.» - Noel Acciari

Clearly, the impact Dubas had on Acciari during his short stint in Toronto was enough to convince the forward to sign for three years with Dubas' new team.

Dubas Poaching Players?

Acciari may just be the first domino to fall in what could be a massive operation for Kyle Dubas. The young executive built the Maple Leafs to his own vision over the course of many years and is now having to start over in Pittsburgh. Could we soon see Dubas poaching players from Toronto, whom he'd previously brought in?

While the notion seems somewhat outlandish, Dubas has a history of going after specific players that fit his mold. If he's made a good impression on other guys the way he did on Acciari, we could begin to see a massive flocking of players from Toronto to Pittsburgh.

As Seen on Blade of Steel - Acciari explains Kyle Dubas as the reason he signed in Pittsburgh