Dubas out as Leafs’ GM

Kyle Dubas is out as general manager of the Toronto Maple Leafs.

The team said Friday it is “parting ways” with the 37-year-old, whose contract was set to expire June 30.

“I would like to thank Kyle for his unwavering dedication over these last nine seasons with the organization, including his last five as general manager,” Leafs president Brendan Shanahan said in a statement. “Kyle fostered a great culture within our dressing room and staff, and consistently pushed to make our team better season over season.”

Shanahan was scheduled to address the media Friday afternoon at Scotiabank Arena.

With Dubas the first domino to fall in what could be a summer of intrigue in hockey’s biggest market, the attention now turns to his replacement, along with the status of head coach Sheldon Keefe and the future of star forward Auston Matthews, who both have close ties with the now-departed executive.

The Leafs won a playoff series for the first time in nearly two decades this spring when they defeated the Tampa Bay Lightning before bowing out to the underdog Florida Panthers in a disappointing second-round showing.

An emotional Dubas said at his end-of-season press conference Monday he wasn’t sure if he would continue on as GM, citing the stress on his young family.

Fans shouldn’t expect Dubas to be joining another club in the short-term.

“I definitely don’t have it in me to go anywhere else,” he added at what turned out to be his final media availability as GM. “It’ll either be here or it’ll be taking time to recalibrate (and) reflect ... but you won’t see me next week pop up elsewhere.

“I can’t put (my family) through that after this year.” Toronto set single-season records for wins and points, and went 221-109-42 in his tenure.

Dubas offered unwavering support to Toronto’s so-called “Core Four” of offensive talent consisting of Matthews, Mitch Marner, John Tavares and William Nylander.

“As a person, he’s been unbelievable throughout my whole time here,” Marner said of Dubas after the Leafs were eliminated by Florida. “Definitely a special person to have around. He cares a lot for his players and his staff.

“Something that we’re all pretty lucky to have.”