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Latest On Kyle Dubas

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It’s rare you get an unprompted high level of transparency from an NHL team executive. However, Toronto Maple Leafs team president Brendan Shanahan, speaking to reporters today, offered a detailed description of the team’s process that led to moving on from general manager Kyle Dubas this morning, as well as offering some thoughts about the future of the team.

To begin last season, it was widely reported that the Maple Leafs were not offering Dubas an extension until further along into 2022-23. Per Shanahan, that’s exactly what happened, saying he approached Dubas after the trade deadline two months ago to tell him he’d talk to Toronto ownership about pursuing an extension. Dubas then informed Shanahan he was comfortable moving forward.

Shanahan, throughout the stretch of the regular season and postseason, then pursued a contract framework with Dubas’ agent. Dubas was then presented with an initial contract framework after the Maple Leafs were eliminated by the Florida Panthers in five games in the Second Round.

While negotiations were positive, Shanahan admitted to reporters his “thought process changed” after watching Dubas’ media availability on Monday, where he mentioned the tolls of the season were tough on him and his family, and there was a possibility he would opt not to return to the role on his own terms.

However, Dubas did make up his mind, telling Shanahan he did want to remain in the role as late as last night when Dubas and his agent presented Shanahan with a contract offer where a “gap had risen” from previous talks. At that point, Shanahan decided the best path forward lay elsewhere and informed Dubas this morning the team wouldn’t be renewing his contract.

One thing Shanahan immediately clarified after his initial statements are that these negotiations didn’t fall apart over money. For Shanahan, it was a shift in thinking about who he wanted in the role that occurred this week.

Shanahan says the team’s focus immediately turns to hiring a new GM, saying he’d prefer to go with someone who has NHL experience in the role.

Shanahan did not comment on the future of head coach Sheldon Keefe, nor was he questioned about it by reporters in attendance.

Minor Transactions: 05/19/23

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There have been some truly dominant stories in the hockey news cycle over the past few days, including the everlasting Arizona Coyotes arena saga and the Toronto Maple Leafs moving on from general manager Kyle Dubas. However, there are still plenty of storylines in other leagues worth taking a look at as the offseason continues in earnest around the world. As always, we’ll keep track of today’s most notable minor transactions right here.

  • The AHL’s Bakersfield Condors extended defenseman Xavier Bernard on a one-year contract today. Staying within the Edmonton Oilers organization, Bernard had a goal in 12 games with Bakersfield after a mid-season trade from the Belleville Senators. Once a New Jersey Devils prospect after they selected him in the fourth round of the 2018 NHL Draft, Bernard is now a free agent in the eyes of the NHL after the team opted to let his rights expire.

This page will be updated throughout the day

Logan Cooley Returning To University Of Minnesota

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Arizona Coyotes top prospect Logan Cooley will not be signing his entry-level contract this summer, as the University of Minnesota announced today that he’s returning to the school for his sophomore season.

After a standout rookie season in the Big 10 conference, finishing second in the entire NCAA in scoring behind 2023 draft prospect Adam Fantilli, many expected Cooley not only to sign with Arizona but play a prominent role there in 2023-24. Instead, the 2022 third-overall selection will try and build on those totals and shoot for a national championship with Minnesota, a feat they were only one goal away from achieving this season.

Cooley, a skilled and cerebral two-way center, will be a top-six pivot when he does opt to come to the NHL. It’s fair to speculate if the Coyotes’ lack of a concrete long-term solution to their arena issues played a role in Cooley deciding to push back his NHL debut by another year.

While there may be little left to achieve in his pre-NHL development, the NHL isn’t always everything for players, either. Cooley’s desire to win a national championship, as well as the lower-stakes environment of college hockey, are also likely factors in his choice.

Neither Cooley nor the Coyotes have commented on his decision publically.

Kyle Dubas Will Not Return As Toronto GM

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Kyle Dubas will not return as general manager of the Toronto Maple Leafs next season, team president Brendan Shanahan announced today.

Dubas, who has been with the Maple Leafs since 2014, served as an assistant general manager before being promoted to the role of general manager in May 2018, replacing Lou Lamoriello. Under his leadership, the team has yet to miss the postseason but has won just one game past the First Round, coming in this year’s 4-1 Second Round loss to the Florida Panthers.

Per the announcement from the Leafs, this was not necessarily a mutual decision. The team’s statement clarified that it was Toronto’s decision to part ways with Dubas ahead of his contract expiring on June 30.

Shanahan expressed gratitude to Dubas for his near-decade of work with the Leafs organization:

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. Kyle fostered a great culture within our dressing room and staff, and consistently pushed to make our team better season over season. We wish Kyle and his family the best moving forward.

Dubas’ immediate future in the NHL remains very uncertain. He stated on Monday that he would either continue with the Maple Leafs or take time away from the league to spend with family.

Regardless, there is bound to be considerable interest from other teams when or if he decides to pursue another general manager position in the future. Dubas’ reputation as a progressive thinker, his analytical approach (which he had wavered from slightly in recent seasons), and a good recent history of high-value draft picks make him an attractive candidate for any franchise looking for a fresh perspective.

Dubas headed up one of the most formative periods in Maple Leafs history, signing multiple significant contracts with the team’s top players. None, however, have faced more scrutiny than his free agent acquisition of captain John Tavares in 2018 to a seven-year, $77MM contract, one a large sect of fans have determined an overpayment for his services.

The news means someone new will be behind the helm to deal with potential contract extensions for Auston Matthews and William Nylander, who are both unrestricted free agents in 2024 and are eligible for extensions beginning July 1 of this year. The Leafs have a pair of internal candidates, assistant general manager Brandon Pridham and special assistant to the general manager Jason Spezza, who immediately jump out as potential replacements.

While it seems like the team’s curse of playoff failures may never end, the reality is Dubas’ successor is inheriting a team with many years left in a contention window if they play their cards right. A solid prospect base and some potential financial flexibility, especially if the next GM does trade one of the team’s ’Core Four’ of Matthews, Nylander, Tavares, and Mitch Marner, still have Toronto in solid positioning.

Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman was first to report the news.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images

New York Islanders Sign Kyle MacLean, Daylan Kuefler

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The New York Islanders locked in a pair of forwards to deals on Friday, signing Kyle MacLean to a one-year, two-way contract and Daylan Kuefler to a three-year entry-level contract. Financial terms were not disclosed.

MacLean, 24, has played the last three seasons in the Islanders organization on AHL contracts with the Bridgeport Islanders/Sound Tigers. The son of longtime New Jersey Devil and current Islanders assistant coach John MacLean, he recorded a career-high 11 goals, 16 assists, and 27 points in 67 games with Bridgeport in 2022-23.

Born in Basking Ridge, New Jersey, MacLean went undrafted during his time with the OHL’s Oshawa Generals but developed a sound two-way game and was the team’s captain from 2018 to 2020. He’s carried that two-way style into pro hockey, logging key minutes on Bridgeport’s penalty kill.

With an NHL contract signed, MacLean now becomes a call-up option for the Islanders, likely if a bottom-six, penalty-killing winger gets injured. Without very significant offensive production in the minors at this stage in his development, though, a full-time NHL role in the future seems unlikely.

Kuefler, on the other hand, did have his NHL rights tied to the Islanders after they selected him in the sixth round of the 2022 NHL Draft. The 21-year-old had been passed over in the two drafts prior, but after a significant offensive breakout with the WHL’s Kamloops Blazers, the team took a flyer on him.

In 2022-23, Kuefler broke the point-per-game mark for the first time in his WHL career, notching 31 goals and 61 points in 54 games. While his offensive production and delayed development may not suggest much of an NHL future, he’s a relatively well-rounded prospect who could still pan out pending proper development. The 6-foot-2, 190-pound winger will report to AHL Bridgeport next season.

Coaching Updates: Carbery, Quenneville, Blue Jackets

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The New York Rangers are one of a handful of teams looking to secure a new head coach for 2023-24, although reports on whom they’ve interviewed for the role have been comparatively few and far between. Late last night, though, Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman said the team had obtained permission to talk to Toronto Maple Leafs assistant Spencer Carbery for the vacancy.

Per Friedman, New York is the third team the Leafs are believed to have permitted to interview. The Anaheim Ducks and Washington Capitals are the others. He’s somewhat of an interesting candidate for any head coaching role – he doesn’t have previous NHL head coaching experience, nor would he be an internal hire (unless the Maple Leafs fire Sheldon Keefe and promote Carbery before another team hires him). Nonetheless, the 41-year-old has spent most of his coaching career as a head coach in the AHL and ECHL, earning Coach of the Year honors at both levels with the Hershey Bears and South Carolina Stingrays.

Carbery would be hard-pressed to find a bigger challenge than stepping into a high-pressure market like New York without previous NHL head coaching experience, though. It could prove to be a sound move for a team that needs a fresh perspective, though, and many fans would be happy for their team to step out of the normal coaching carousel.

More from the coaching rumor mill this morning:

  • In an unsurprising development after his name began to resurface in rumors, former Chicago Blackhawks and Florida Panthers head coach Joel Quenneville will meet with NHL commissioner Gary Bettman soon to determine whether he’ll be permitted to take a job in the league, per TSN’s Darren Dreger. Quenneville has been barred from league work since October 2021 after an independent investigation determined Quenneville, along with other Blackhawks staff members, had knowledge of claims that video coach Brad Aldrich had sexually assaulted Blackhawks forward Kyle Beach and failed to take any action to protect Beach, or other future victims of Aldrich after he left the organization. The Toronto Sun’s Lance Hornby reports Quenneville has been in a league-sanctioned program during his suspension from the league to “understand the impact of what happened.”
  • The Athletic’s Aaron Portzline says to let out your breath if you’re waiting for news on the Columbus Blue Jackets next head coach. The team is unlikely to have a successor to Brad Larsen in place by this weekend when general manager Jarmo Kekelainen heads overseas to attend the 2023 IIHF Men’s World Championship. However, the search is nearing its conclusion, with a handful of candidates confirmed by reporters.

Ryan Lomberg Returns For Game 1

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Tom Gulitti of NHL.com reports the Florida Panthers have some added depth to their lineup as they begin the Eastern Conference Final. Ryan Lomberg has not played since Game 4 of the Panthers opening-round series.

The 28-year-old winger missed the final three games of that series against the Boston Bruins, and the entire second round against the Toronto Maple Leafs. Lomberg was ruled out with an upper-body injury and listed as week-to-week at the time. He had received a nasty cross-check to the head area in the last game he played, but no official injury status was given.

Lomberg is not likely to carry the offense for the Panthers in this series, but he brings a nasty, physical edge that is a requirement for successful playoff teams. The Panthers are a scrappy team that is difficult to play against with the likes of Matthew Tkachuk, Sam Bennett andRadko Gudas on the team, and Lomberg adds to that while bringing some speed to the bottom of the lineup.

While not a huge scorer, Lomberg did have 12 goals and 20 points in 82 regular season games, proving he is capable of finding the back of the net. He was taking line rushes on a trio with Eric Staal andColin White which would give the Panthers a reliable fourth line that just might add a couple of big goals in a series.

The Panthers are in the Eastern Conference Final for the first time since 1996 and will take on the Carolina Hurricanes after knocking out heavily-favoured division foes in the Bruins and Maple Leafs.

PHR Playoff Primer: Dallas Stars vs Vegas Golden Knights

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With the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs now underway, PHR makes its first foray into playoff series analysis with our 2023 Playoff Primers. Where does each team stand in their series, and what storylines could dominate on and off the ice? Our Conference Finals coverage continues with the Western Conference matchup between the Dallas Stars and Vegas Golden Knights.

The Stanley Cup Playoffs semifinal matchups are set and the Sun Belt franchises will take center stage. While the Carolina Hurricanes will take on the Florida Panthers in the Eastern Conference Final, it will be the Dallas Stars and Vegas Golden Knights facing off to be the western conference champion.

While the Western Conference Final features two teams in non-traditional hockey markets, these are no cinderella squads on an unlikely run. In fact, the Stars and Golden Knights are two powerhouses who will go toe-to-toe in what promises to be an exciting, fast-paced and highly skilled matchup.

The Golden Knights finished atop the Pacific Division standings and were the top ranked team in the entire western conference with a record of 51-22-9 which gave them 111 points. The Stars were not far behind, finishing second in the Central Division with 108 points, just one back of the Colorado Avalanche for top spot in the division.

Regular Season Performance

Vegas: 51-22-9, 111 points, +43 goal differential
Dallas: 47-21-14, 108 points, +67 goal differential

Head-To-Head

January 16, 2023: Dallas 4, Vegas 0
February 25, 2023: Dallas 3, Vegas 2 (SO)
April 8, 2023: Dallas 2, Vegas 1 (SO)

Dallas takes season series 3-0-0

Team Storylines

One question for Vegas is whether or not star winger Mark Stone has another strong series in him. He is clearly dealing with back discomfort and appeared frustrated at times in the postseason as teams targeted him. He remained calm enough to score a pair of goals and four points in six games while playing great defensive hockey as usual. Can he continue to play well throughout the postseason? We shall soon find out.

Speaking of great defensive hockey, one question for the Stars is can they break through the Golden Knights defensive shield at even strength? The Edmonton Oilers could not get anything done at 5-on-5 against the Golden Knights, even with two of the league’s best players on their roster. The Oilers, the NHL’s highest scoring team in the regular season, scored ten goals in the final four games of their series with the Golden Knights, lost three of them and were eliminated.

The Stars have shown they have the depth to score at even strength. In their seven game series victory over the Seattle Kraken, they scored 22 goals at even strength, which is an average of just over three per game.

Will they be able to continue that pace in round three? Joe Pavelski is scoring at will this postseason with eight goals in eight games played. Roope Hintz leads the way for the Stars with 19 points in 13 games. Jason Robertson, Max Domi, Jamie Benn, Tyler Seguin, and Evgeni Dadonov all have nine or more points in 13 games as well giving the Stars tremendous scoring depth up front.

Flipping back to the Golden Knights, they have plenty of scoring depth of their own. Jack Eichel leads the way with 14 points in 11 games so far in the playoffs. Stone is also over a point per game with 12. Chandler Stephenson, Jonathan Marchessault, Ivan Barbashev, Reilly Smith andWilliam Karlsson all have eight or more points, with scoring coming from each of the team’s top three lines.

Both teams bolster deep blue lines as well. The Golden Knights rely heavily on Alex Pietrangelo, Shea Theodore andAlec Martinez who form a tremendous top three. Nic Hague, Brayden McNabb and Zach Whitecloud round out an extremely deep and talented group of two-way defenders who can chip in with plenty of offense while playing fantastic defensive hockey.

The Stars have a nice mix of veteran savvy and youthful exuberance on the back end. Ryan Suter and Colin Miller may not be as effective as they once were, but they provide a steady defensive presence and leadership qualities. Miro Heiskanen is an elite defenseman who could garner Conn Smythe votes if he keeps playing the way he has so far in the postseason. The 23 year old is joined by 21 year old Thomas Harley, who quickly emerged as a key defender and has seven points in 13 playoff games.

Perhaps the biggest question heading into this series is which goaltender can bounce back the quickest? Neither were spectacular in the second round, but getting hot for the next two weeks would lead their team to the Stanley Cup Finals.

Jake Oettinger started every game for the Stars in their series win over the Kraken, but he had a 3.50 GAA and a .877 save percentage in those seven games. Adin Hill took over from Laurent Brossoit and started the final three games of the series after performing well in relief in Game 2 and 3. He allowed seven goals in his first two starts but then shut the door, stopping 38 of 40 shots to help the Knights advance with a Game 6 win.

Will Oettinger return to form and be the best goalie in the series? Or will Hill use his most recent start as a jumping off point for a great series? The answers to those questions could determine who moves on to the Stanley Cup Finals.

Dallas Stars head coach Peter Deboer is in familiar territory in this series. He was hired as the coach of the Golden Knights in January of 2020 and helped them reach the Western Conference Final where they lost to the… Dallas Stars. This rematch now sees Deboer on the other bench, and he will look to get back at his former team for firing him.

Prediction

Two deep teams with no weaknesses that jump out at you will lead to a long series. Both teams have deep blue lines, both teams will get scoring from up and down their lineup, both teams can defend well and play a physical style of hockey.

Also important at this time of year is both teams have remained quite healthy. Everyone is dealing with bumps and bruises but there are no long-term injuries to star players on either lineup right now. That makes the margin for error quite slim on either side.

When it all boils down, goaltending could be the difference, and Oettinger seems to be the more likely choice to have a strong seven game series. That could give the slightest of edges to the Stars in a series that promises to be a long and memorable one.

Prediction: Stars win in seven games.

Calgary Flames Linked To Craig Conroy For GM Role

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As Daily Faceoff’s Frank Seravalli noted on Sportsnet 960 today, the Calgary Flames could be considering an organizational veteran to fill their vacant general manager role. Longtime assistant general manager and former team captain Craig Conroy could be in line for a promotion after the team parted ways with Brad Treliving last month.

I don’t know that there’s a front-runner. But if I were gambling and you gave me a list of names, and I do like to gamble, I would say my money would be on Craig Conroy.

With a history of strong leadership and a deep understanding of the Flames organization, Conroy emerges as a viable candidate to guide the team toward success. Having served as an assistant general manager since 2014 and a special assistant for four seasons prior, Conroy has demonstrated his commitment and dedication to the franchise, contributing significantly to player development, scouting, and day-to-day operations. His extensive experience, combined with his passion for the Flames, makes him an appealing choice for the top management position and would better position the Flames on draft day with a familiar face at the helm.

On the ice, Conroy played in 507 games with Calgary over parts of nine seasons, recording 97 goals, 211 assists, and 308 points, earning a Selke nomination in a career-best 2001-02 season.

With the firing of head coach Darryl Sutter reportedly influenced in part by exit interviews from players, it’s evident the Flames remain committed to making it work with their current core and will try to get the most out of what they have. Hiring an internal candidate would certainly align with that philosophy.

Seravalli also reported the Flames are nearing the end of their search, regardless if Conroy earns the seat or not, saying they want to have Treliving’s successor in place next week.

West Notes: Lehner, Burakovsky, Iginla

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One name oft forgotten in the Vegas Golden Knights goalie carousel this season is Robin Lehner, who spent the entire 2022-23 campaign on long-term injured reserve. After missing the tail end of the 2021-22 campaign with a significant shoulder injury, it was actually off-season hip surgery that kept Lehner out for the year.

The Swedish netminder remains one of the best around when healthy, but Golden Knights general manager Kelly McCrimmon today didn’t have any update on Lehner’s status moving forward. McCrimmon noted Lehner is still undergoing rehab on both of his hips, but didn’t have a recent update on his progress. Lehner’s absence hasn’t hindered the Golden Knights much this season, and he could be a trade candidate if he does get healthy to clear some cap space. The 2019 Vezina Trophy nominee is locked in at a $5MM cap hit through 2025, making him an affordable option for a team in need of a starting netminder.

  • Seattle Kraken general manager Ron Francis offered some clarity today on the injury that kept star winger Andre Burakovsky out of the lineup down the stretch of the season. Per Francis, Burakovsky tore his groin on his first shift after the All-Star break and suffered multiple setbacks in his recovery, sidelining him for the remainder of the regular season and playoffs. The 28-year-old was having a spectacular first season in Seattle before the injury, scoring 39 points in 49 games in a top-six role.
  • After selecting him in 12th overall in last week’s WHL Prospects Draft, the Edmonton Oil Kings have officially brought 14-year-old Joe Iginla, son of Calgary Flames legend Jarome Iginla, into the organization on a scholarship and development agreement. Iginla posted monster numbers at the U15 level this season with his dad coaching, scoring 65 points in 27 games, and even got some looks in U16 and U17 play. Iginla is not NHL draft eligible until 2026 and is not expected to join the Oil Kings until the 2024-25 season.

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