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The promotion of Kyle Dubas promises to be a change from the established and conservative mode of operations practiced with great effectiveness by Lou Lamoriello, but the shift to the 32-year-old GM could spur some significant changes in the coming days and weeks.
The first change may be with Lamoriello himself, who the new Toronto GM was effusive in his praise for during his press conference on Friday. Sportsnet’s John Shannon reported that the 75-year-old Hall-of-Famer is talking with the New York Islanders about a management position, which would have him leaving from his senior advisory position with the Leafs.
The next is the future of Mark Hunter. Dubas indicated that he hoped to talk with the veteran Assistant GM right away and would like to maintain continuity within the organization, but will be prepared if those currently holding positions with the club decide to go elsewhere.
Most of the opinions in hockey circles believe that Hunter will not stay with the Leafs under Dubas and that he will take some of the Leafs scouting staff (populated with many that were added by and are loyal to Hunter) with him if he goes.
He could choose to return to the OHL London Knights, but the position he seeked in Toronto is not available with any other club (Minnesota is thought to be close to filling their vacant GM position), and that could mean that Hunter would remain for the short term.
Dubas is prepared for that eventuality and indicated that he has established a network of people who may be brought in if there is a mass exodus over the summer.
Both Team President Brendan Shanahan and Dubas were asked whether the Leafs would look to add someone to their management team and while they were non-committal on Friday, there has been speculation that whether Hunter leaves or not, that Toronto will bring an experienced hand on board.
In spite of having Brandon Pridham to negotiate contracts, it is thought that adding someone who has relationships with league GM’s and player agents may be of benefit to Dubas, with contract situations for William Nylander, Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner to be dealt with and the potential of trades and free agent signings this summer.
Former Wild GM Chuck Fletcher (son of Leafs senior advisor Cliff) was mentioned as a possible option last week, but in his “31 Thoughts… column Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman speculated that former Leaf and ex-Carolina Hurricanes GM Ron Francis could make sense, since he and Dubas have a relationship going back to his days with the Soo Greyhounds.
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