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It is unknown what the plan is for the Toronto Maple Leafs after GM Lou Lamoriello or when they will be implemented, but managerial changes outside the organization may affect those plans if clubs begin to make inquiries or ask permission to speak to Assistant GM Kyle Dubas.
Elliotte Friedman on Saturday’s Hockey Night in Canada broadcast stated that he believes Lamoriello’s contract has more term remaining than the three years he has served as GM and that he may transition to being a senior advisor.
Sportsnet’s Chris Johnston indicated of whispers that a meeting involving the Leafs hierarchy last summer and it stated out loud that this season would be Lamoriello’s last season as GM.
While there is no way to know for sure what was decided at that meeting (since the Leafs are quite adept at keeping their machinations secret), the reason for the meeting itself was likely the interest shown in Dubas (long been considered the heir apparent) by the Colorado Avalanche in Dubas last May.
Toronto revoked permission to speak to Dubas after discovering that the Avs were serious considering him as a GM candidate and kicking Joe Sakic upstairs to Team President. The 31-year-old agreed to a contract extension through the 2018-19 season last summer and unless there was some clause in that deal that he will take over after Lamoriello’s tenure is done, the Leafs have to deal with teams having interest in the young executive.
The hockey world was caught by surprise when new Carolina owner Thomas Dundon removed Ron Francis as the club’s general manager on Wednesday due to philosophical differences. Dundon indicated in interviews on Thursday that Francis would now be in an advisory role and that the new GM would report directly to him, that would agree with his more aggressive philosophy and be open to the new owner having a more hands-on approach.
Canes beat reporter
Luke Decock also believes that Dundon will invest heavily in analytics on the hockey and business side.
Dubas and his involvement with the analytics department in Toronto would definitely be a fit, but other candidates such as Tom Fitzgerald (NJ), Julien Brisebois(TB), Pat Verbeek (TB), John Ferguson Jr. (BOS) and Paul Fenton (NAS) could be in the mix as well.
There have been hints that Team President Brendan Shanahan wants to maintain the management status quo for the immediate future, likely because the Leafs face a number of difficult hurdles this summer, including a new contract for restricted free agent William Nylander, as well as Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner being eligible for new deals.
If there is an understanding in place that Dubas is next in line, it is possible that Lamoriello could stay in his current position past this summer and Toronto will simply deny other clubs permission to speak to him.
If there is no such agreement, then you can expect most or all clubs with a job opening to come calling and attempt to lure Dubas away.
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