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Kristen Shilton, ESPN NHL reporter
Kyle Dubas will not return as general manager of the Toronto Maple Leafs next season, the club announced in a statement Friday. His contract is set to expire on June 30.
“I want to thank Kyle for his unwavering dedication over the last nine seasons with the organization, including his last five as General Manager,” Toronto president and alternate governor Brendan Shanahan said in a statement. “Kyle has fostered a great culture within our dressing room and staff, and continues to push to make our team better season after season. We wish Kyle and his family the best moving forward and thank him for his valuable contributions.”
Dubas, 37, arrived in Toronto as assistant general manager — hired by Shanahan — in 2014. He also handled general manager duties for the American Hockey League’s Toronto Marlies and led them to the franchise’s first Calder Cup championship in 2018.
On May 11, 2018, Dubas was promoted to general manager after Toronto chose not to renew the expiring contract of former GM Lou Lamoriello. Dubas was a key part of building the Leafs nucleus from there, including what became known as the team’s Core Four of Auston Matthews, Mitch Marner, William Nylander and John Tavares. He also fired former coach Mike Babcock in 2019 and replaced him with Sheldon Keefe, whom Dubas hired as coach of the Ontario Hockey League’s Sault Ste. Marie Greyhound when he was general manager there in 2011.
Dubas compiled an impressive 221-109-42 NHL record in the regular season as the Leafs’ general manager, but the team often stumbled in the postseason. From 2016-2022, Toronto made six consecutive first-round exits from the playoffs. This year’s first-round series win over Tampa Bay marked the first time the Leafs have advanced to the postseason since 2004. Toronto fell in five games to Florida in the second round.
At his end-of-season media availability this week, Dubas said it would be a “family decision” if he returns to Toronto, making it clear that the past year has been difficult on the homefront. Dubas also said that if he doesn’t return as GM of the Leafs, he won’t play a role anywhere.
Shanahan projects to immediately begin the search for Dubas’ successor. Dubas’ departure also raises questions about whether Keefe will return as Leafs coach.
Shanahan will hold a news conference at 3 pm ET on Friday.
