GM inherits high expectations

GM Kyle Dubas sees MLSE’s resources as a way to gain ground in the Atlantic. ‘Contending perennially’ next phase for Dubas, Marlies play key role

New Maple Leafs GM Kyle Dubas said he grew to like some of Lou Lamoriello’s rules pertaining to the conduct of the team and staff around the players.

Some of those rules might even stay.

But this is Dubas’s team now, and things are changing.

“When (coach Mike Babcock) arrived here, he gave a soundbite that there was going to be pain, and there was,” said Dubas.

“Under Lou’s stewardship and guidance, the team has transformed its atmosphere, it has transformed the narrative around the team, the way that people behave, the standard of what it is to be a Maple Leaf.

“Now we reach another part of our journey, which is contending perennially.”

Team president Brendan Shanahan, who promoted Dubas to the top post Friday after hiring him four years ago, went just a bit further with his analysis of the team.

“I think we are a team that can compete for the Stanley Cup probably a little sooner than we thought,” said Shanahan.

“I still think we’re growing, but that’s not to suggest we don’t think we’re ready to compete.”

So, the youth movement that began on the ice with the likes of Auston Matthews, Mitch Marner and William Nylander has spilled over to the front of- fice, with the 32-year-old Dubas now entrusted to make sure the turnaround that started under Lamoriello continues.

A rink rat who worked for the OHL’s Soo Greyhounds at age 11, Dubas embraced analytics early and made it part of how he scouted players and judged how the game was played. Though the progressive, out-ofthe-box thinker may see the game differently than most around hockey, the goal is the same: Build a winner.

“We’re in a very difficult division,” said Dubas. “We saw it in the first round. We saw the series between Tampa and Boston. There are a number of young and up-and-coming teams that are only going to get better.

“It’s up to us to use to the resources we have at MLSE, but also be as resourceful as we can be. That involves finding inefficiencies when it comes to our tactical deployment, our player development staff, our scouting staff, and to continue to build our programs in sports science and mental wellness.”

The issues he faces are the same: Get young players under contract, address the deficiencies on the blue line and start making hard decisions on free agents — both the ones he wants to keep and the ones he wants to acquire.

“It’s a young group, we have lots of decisions to make,” said Dubas.

“We’ll take our time and go through a full analysis as to where we want to go.”

It’s clear from his answers that Toronto Marlies players — who’ll start the third round of the Calder Cup playoffs next Saturday — will get due consideration for a shot with the Leafs, perhaps even ahead of NHL free agents. Dubas is also the GM of the Marlies.

“I like the defence we have coming up,” said Dubas. “I’m intimately familiar with the guys we have down there, so I’m exciting about them and what we have below. But when it comes to transactions and improving the team, we never shut that down. That goes for any position. If we can improve upon it, that will be our goal.”