Report sheds more light on what ultimately was Kyle Dubas's downfall with the Leafs

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Sam Hutch
May 27, 2023 (2:36 PM)

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Amid all the dysfunction that's begun to rear its ugly head at the start of the off-season for the Toronto Maple Leafs, new details have emerged regarding Kyle Dubas's departure from the Leafs.

According to a report it wasn't that Kyle Dubas wanted more money that was the final nail in the coffin for him, but rather, the way the relationship between Dubas and President Brendan Shanahan had deteriorated over time; take a look;

I don't think that this additional ask was in itself the deal killer. I am led to believe that what cemented things was the email from Dubas to Shanahan. My understanding was that this really signified to all on the MLSE side just how badly things had deteriorated between the two that they couldn't meet and finalize terms or talk things out, and instead, it had to be done either through an intermediary (which was Dubas's right) or via email.

Ultimately, the perception was that the relationship was irreparably damaged. am not of the belief that anyone is blaming one side, but that those who were advising were of the belief that it was "too far gone'. Rest assured, I have been told that the board has full faith in Shanahan, so you can read into that what we will.

If this is true, my question is: how do you let the relationship between your president and general manager get this bad? Not being able to be in the same room as the person you're supposed to be working alongside is atrocious.

At any rate, with all the new details coming out, it seems like MLSE was more comfortable backing Shanahan than going with Dubas and at this point, it's hard to say they're wrong