This means it wasn’t Dubas’ job performance that concerned him and ultimately cost him his job. Quite the opposite. Shanahan stressed repeatedly how pleased he was with the job Dubas had done. It’s why the Leafs were ready to commit to him before the playoffs.

No, what apparently swayed them was Dubas’ brief, days-long reluctance to coming back. Even though the Leafs had left him dangling without a contract all season, a moment of hesitation on his part led them to dramatically change course and dive deep into the unknown.

Which frankly seems like an unusual way of doing business, especially with all that pressing work ahead.



Pretty odd to say the least -

It's a truly unfortunate position Shanahan has put this team into.
- GreatGigInTheSky

Dubas put us in this position. Shanny has negotiated in good faith with Dubas’ rep and Dubas came back and tried to fleece him last minute, just like Doobie got fleeced by Marner and Nylander! Shanny said, yeah if it’s like that then beat it buddy! And good for Shanny!
As soon as a new Manager is hired this story will be old news. First thing the new guy has to do is fire Keefe and get a contract done with Matthews or trade him.

This decision should cast an even brighter spotlight on Shanahan.

He’ll be hiring his third general manager in less than 10 years. He pivoted to Dubas from Lou Lamoriello after three seasons and has now decided to replace Dubas after five. He wears the Leafs’ ultimate failings more than anyone.

It was Shanahan who decided to hire a coach – Mike Babcock – before he had a GM. It was Shanahan who brought in Mark Hunter to run the draft for the Leafs (which backfired). It was Shanahan who had Hunter and Dubas running the Leafs together when the Leafs still hadn’t hired that GM (Lamoriello).

It was Shanahan who purged the entire front office after the 2014-15 season.

It was Shanahan who plucked Dubas from Sault Ste. Marie. It was Shanahan overseeing the Leafs when he and Dubas sat together on a summer day in 2018 to announce the signing of John Tavares. It was Shanahan in charge when the Leafs lost in the first round in the two seasons before Dubas took over and the four that followed after that.

It was Shanahan who changed the direction of the Leafs when he promoted Dubas to GM. It’s Shanahan now leading the Leafs back into the unknown.

Dubas put us in this position. Shanny has negotiated in good faith with Dubas’ rep and Dubas came back and tried to fleece him last minute, just like Doobie got fleeced by Marner and Nylander! Shanny said, yeah if it’s like that then beat it buddy! And good for Shanny!
As soon as a new Manager is hired this story will be old news. First thing the new guy has to do is fire Keefe and get a contract done with Matthews or trade him.
- Bullot

Can't wait to hear you cry when the new GM loses the Matthews trade and they miss the playoffs.


Probably just say it was Shanahan's fault alllll along

Excellent start to the long weekend. Some dude tried to commit suicide by running in front of our truck.

Must have heard Dubas was gone.

They lost games at Florida that they were statistically the better team in like 3 of 4 losses.
- Aaron_85

It's not only about shooting and possession stats that count in the playoffs. How many times did Leaf goalies get a snow job or get run into accidently on purpose? How many times did the Leafs do this to Bob? JT had one (frank)en assist in the round. Tkachuk got to punch Marner 4 or 5 times after the Leafs win for free. Bennett was a wrecking ball. Bunting was the softest player on the ice playing big minutes doing nothing and was a total liability defensively.

Dubas put us in this position. Shanny has negotiated in good faith with Dubas’ rep and Dubas came back and tried to fleece him last minute, just like Doobie got fleeced by Marner and Nylander! Shanny said, yeah if it’s like that then beat it buddy! And good for Shanny!
As soon as a new Manager is hired this story will be old news. First thing the new guy has to do is fire Keefe and get a contract done with Matthews or trade him.
- Bullot

Good for Shanny, yeah Shanny is great.

https://youtu.be/zRA7_45SdBU

Please watch that from about 13:30 on as a less board clogging explanation of why your take on Shanny is complete and utter horse poop.

Dubas put us in this position. Shanny has negotiated in good faith with Dubas’ rep and Dubas came back and tried to fleece him last minute, just like Doobie got fleeced by Marner and Nylander! Shanny said, yeah if it’s like that then beat it buddy! And good for Shanny!
As soon as a new Manager is hired this story will be old news. First thing the new guy has to do is fire Keefe and get a contract done with Matthews or trade him.
- Bullot

I'd love for you to be treated this way by a boss and job and then shake his hand at the 11th hour when they change their mind on you and show you the door instead. Let me know how much you tell him it was in good faith and that you made mistakes and deserve it.

Hard to say. We can't say for sure yet.

We can say optically it looks kinda like a Mickey mouse org today.

Spezza is friends with guys in the locker room... also Dubas has done a good job of convincing guys to come here and play for cheap and re ignite their careers or start it with a guy like Mickey. Will that remain? We shall see.

Word around the league was agents were telling their players to see if they can come here. It was a place players wanted to be.
- Aaron_85

I mean, sure, you can say that. I don't agree. I think the news is fresh, shocking, and there's a lot of emotion at play.

I think the org is, and will be, fine. The Leafs culture isn't completely attached to Dubas and I sincerely doubt that Shanahan has lit the culture up in flames as a result of this decision.

But yes, only time will tell.

Pretty sure Shanny is on a short leash himself.

Excellent start to the long weekend. Some dude tried to commit suicide by running in front of our truck.

Must have heard Dubas was gone.
- Woderwick

Yikes! Hope you're alright and that he's alright

Excellent start to the long weekend. Some dude tried to commit suicide by running in front of our truck.

Must have heard Dubas was gone.
- Woderwick

Was it Bingo?

Finally after 9 years Shanny grew a pair.

Next gone, Nylander, and probably the entire bottom 6 minus Accairi.

New rule, you need to be at least tough at Accairi.

Nylander for Wilson, Jarnkrok and a prospect for Crouse, bring in Bertuzzi..

Stop (frank)ing around already and let’s gooooo!!

GLG!

The big takeaway from today might be that if anyone has too much autonomy, it's Shanahan. The guy has no plot to lose.
- joel878

I don't like him rescinding the offer - as I said, to me it's a bad faith move - but he is the president. They report to him. He has to have that authority.

I mean, sure, you can say that. I don't agree. I think the news is fresh, shocking, and there's a lot of emotion at play.

I think the org is, and will be, fine. The Leafs culture isn't completely attached to Dubas and I sincerely doubt that Shanahan has lit the culture up in flames as a result of this decision.

But yes, only time will tell.

Pretty sure Shanny is on a short leash himself.
- mjones242

Good post and I agree.

Finally after 9 years Shanny grew a pair.

Next gone, Nylander, and probably the entire bottom 6 minus Accairi.

New rule, you need to be at least tough at Accairi.

Nylander for Wilson, Jarnkrok and a prospect for Crouse, bring in Bertuzzi..

Stop (frank)ing around already and let’s gooooo!!

GLG!
- Arctic_AARDVARK

Dude. Brophy was not good hockey.

Finally after 9 years Shanny grew a pair.

Next gone, Nylander, and probably the entire bottom 6 minus Accairi.

New rule, you need to be at least tough at Accairi.

Nylander for Wilson, Jarnkrok and a prospect for Crouse, bring in Bertuzzi..

Stop (frank)ing around already and let’s gooooo!!

GLG!
- Arctic_AARDVARK

You think Nylander should be traded?

It's not only about shooting and possession stats that count in the playoffs. How many times did Leaf goalies get a snow job or get run into accidently on purpose? How many times did the Leafs do this to Bob? JT had one (frank)en assist in the round. Tkachuk got to punch Marner 4 or 5 times after the Leafs win for free. Bennett was a wrecking ball. Bunting was the softest player on the ice playing big minutes doing nothing and was a total liability defensively.
- winsix

Bunting was gun shy after taken a 3 games suspension in the first round.

Hire Buck Melanoma.

You think Nylander should be traded?
- jribout

For the right price, yeah.

Man it’s not secret I like tough hockey. I think you need to be tough af to succeed.

Willy is the softest player in the league.

Good for Shanny, yeah Shanny is great.

https://youtu.be/zRA7_45SdBU

Please watch that from about 13:30 on as a less board clogging explanation of why your take on Shanny is complete and utter horse poop.
- joel878

Solid take. Makes sense.

One of his last points was he doesn't think MLSE knows what they are doing and it certainly feels that way.

Was Santo pro or no Dubas?

Finally after 9 years Shanny grew a pair.

Next gone, Nylander, and probably the entire bottom 6 minus Accairi.

New rule, you need to be at least tough at Accairi.

Nylander for Wilson, Jarnkrok and a prospect for Crouse, bring in Bertuzzi..

Stop (frank)ing around already and let’s gooooo!!

GLG!
- Arctic_AARDVARK

trade Nylander ok but don't give him away for pennies on the dollar ....

Finally after 9 years Shanny grew a pair.

Next gone, Nylander, and probably the entire bottom 6 minus Accairi.

New rule, you need to be at least tough at Accairi.

Nylander for Wilson, Jarnkrok and a prospect for Crouse, bring in Bertuzzi..

Stop (frank)ing around already and let’s gooooo!!

GLG!
- Arctic_AARDVARK

I think Nylander is the one guy who looked consistently dangerous for us against FLA. Loved his attitude during this playoff run and I'd like to keep him.

He's got mercenary blood though like his pops so I'm not too sure if he is likely to stick around and sign with us again.

Totally on board with bringing back Acciari and Luke Schenn.

For the right price, yeah.

Man it’s not secret I like tough hockey. I think you need to be tough af to succeed.

Willy is the softest player in the league.
- Arctic_AARDVARK

So Marner has to go too then. Or we can keep the soft players you like?

I mean, sure, you can say that. I don't agree. I think the news is fresh, shocking, and there's a lot of emotion at play.

I think the org is, and will be, fine. The Leafs culture isn't completely attached to Dubas and I sincerely doubt that Shanahan has lit the culture up in flames as a result of this decision.

But yes, only time will tell.

Pretty sure Shanny is on a short leash himself.
- mjones242

Well considering Spezza left and it sounds like others, likely important people, are also upset it certainly can be seen as lighting the culture on fire. Time will tell on that though.

I would certainly guess it would depend on who they hire and the next 12 to 24 months.