Messy breakups and Dubas doubters

I need your advice. For years now I’ve been in a love/hate relationship. The past couple of years I thought it was going great but each spring, just like clockwork, she’d get cold feet and couldn’t commit. This past March she suddenly disappeared. Recently she moved back in with me for a week with all sorts of promises that she’s changed, and that this time it would be different. Surprise, surprise, she hasn’t changed one bit. One night she’s fully committed to the relationship and then the next night it seems like she doesn’t really care. I feel I could do better, but I think I’ll always love her. Am I crazy? I don’t know if I have the energy to start a new relationship, although a new girl in Seattle has piqued my interest. — Todd There are no easy fixes in relationships. The key to getting through the inevitable hard times is to never stop trying to understand where your partner is coming from. But you have to ask yourself hard questions: Is this relationship part of your self-image? Is this relationship ruining your life, or making it richer? Maybe a break would be good. She sounds as if she’s taking a few months to work on her issues, maybe find a way to change her ways. Now, there’s no harm in looking, but remember, the grass is always greener on the other side. Also remember, the new girl in town has a way of making a boy act like a clown. Why does Kyle Dubas keep his job? Also, Brendan Shanahan played his all of career with grit and toughness. Can he not see that this is something this team really needs? — Fiorenzo It’s far too soon to fire Dubas. But his runway is getting shorter. The heat will be on him to remake the defence, in particular. As for Shanahan, the irony is not lost on anyone around hockey that he was one tough s.o.b. and his team is soft. Why did the Leafs not play Robertson in Game 5 instead of the always bad play of Andreas Johnsson? Robertson got a goal in a previous game and he was giving 110 per cent all the time. He may have been the difference in Game 5 as he was always making things happen when he was on the ice. What do you think? — Jeff I didn’t disagree with the choice of Johnsson over Robertson. Johnsson brings experience. I thought he played well. Had a chance to score. I’ll agree Johnsson had a terrible season. And the decision on Robertson next year will be interesting. (He either plays in the NHL or goes back to junior. No AHL for him.) I don’t think playing Johnsson or playing Robertson would have made a big difference. Why did the Leafs not dress Rasmus Sandin, especially after Jake Muzzin got injured? — John One thing I can’t figure is why Martin Marincin played over the two young Swedes we drafted. Both were first-round picks. Marincin was waived through the league twice. You can’t tell me he’s better than Sandin or Timothy Liljegren. — Vince Sandin for sure, and Liljegren (who was hurt through camp) probably will have better careers than Marincin. But Marincin was the better fit for Muzzin at this moment.