“You just saw how ruthless Brendan Shanahan can be.”
That was one view from inside the Maple Leafs house on Friday evening, hours after the team president walked away from his GM of five years, Kyle Dubas, and delivered an oddly detailed, day-by-day, almost hour-by-hour recount of a failed negotiation on a contract extension in a short press conference.
Less than a week after the Leafs were eliminated by the Florida Panthers in the NHL playoffs, the front office has effectively been pulled apart, first with the Dubas decision and then with the news that all three Marlies coaches were fired and special assistant to the GM Jason Spezza had resigned.
It’s also clear that more dismissals and resignations are coming in the near future.
Perhaps a lot of them.
As reported previously in the aftermath of the Leafs elimination, Shanahan and Dubas had been at odds for a while. On Friday, more details emerged on that front. Multiple sources close to the team said that Shanahan had blocked transactions that Dubas wanted to make at key points in the past several seasons, creating frustration in parts of the management group. Shanahan had also at times dictated certain moves he wanted made that Dubas didn’t agree with.
The president, as per his place in the hierarchy, typically won out in those battles. And, in some cases, the moves that weren’t made could have improved the Leafs’ ability to advance further in the playoffs.
With Kyle Dubas out as GM, the Maple Leafs have willingly plunged into chaos and uncertainty: https://t.co/2xsa1xCR4i
That press conference concerned Shanahan greatly, as it went off script from the talks they had had to date. He had spent months vouching for Dubas to Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment’s board and had finally won approval to negotiate a long-awaited contract extension, something that some members of the three-pronged ownership group had denied the previous year.
The friction in the Leafs front office and the relationship between the two men was still a factor, however, and Dubas’ desire for greater autonomy from Shanahan is believed to have been one of the untold reasons for how things ultimately played out.
Now those remaining in the organization are taking sides. Some on the Dubas side are preparing, like Spezza, to leave. Others are hopeful of moving up in the new world order.
It is, in short, a bit of a mess.
Others connected to the team, however, are simply disappointed that what had been a successful partnership between Shanahan and Dubas for nine years fell apart so quickly and so publicly.
Everyone knew all was not well. But few expected it to implode like this, right before the finish line.
“Really tough on everyone,” said one team source. “Not feeling great about the whole thing today. It should have ended very differently.”
It should have ended, they say, with Dubas remaining the Leafs GM.
That it didn’t will be a topic debated in NHL circles for years to come.
Only those who were in the boardroom know for sure, but one of the things that is believed to have been discussed during Dubas’ first meeting about his contractual status with Shanahan and ownership last Sunday was coach Sheldon Keefe’s future.
It’s likely Dubas was told then that Keefe would (or should) be a casualty during an offseason that all involved agreed required significant change.
There is also a view in the organization that players have become too comfortable, which will likely feed into whatever organizational decisions are made this summer. Part of what was at issue with the board was whether Dubas was prepared to make those hard decisions, such as firing a coach he was very close with and trading players he had backed ever since they entered the league up to seven seasons ago.
Was that part of what went into Dubas going off script on Monday? Perhaps. He declined to comment when contacted by The Athletic on Friday, but others in the organization believe whatever happened Sunday weighed heavily on him, especially in the emotional 48 hours after another early postseason elimination.
“I just felt differently. And I felt that the long-term future of the Maple Leafs might have to change,” Shanahan said on Friday afternoon.
With Dubas now gone, Keefe will almost certainly be let go once a new GM is put into place, despite having a year remaining on his contract.
It’s also considered highly unlikely that capologist Brandon Pridham will get the GM job, given it’s vastly different than his experience and current responsibilities.
Even if Pridham stays in a complementary role, however, many of Dubas’ other lieutenants would seem to be at risk. Assistant GMs Ryan Hardy, Darryl Metcalf and Hayley Wickenheiser were all close to Dubas and relatively short on front-office experience when promoted into their roles as part of an unorthodox front-office setup that had so many AGMs in different roles.
A new GM is likely to opt for a more traditional structure — and to bring in several of their own people.
In terms of who that GM might be, the frontrunner appears to be former Flames GM Brad Treliving, who has been in rumors behind the scenes going back to at least March. But I’m also hearing candidates could come in the form of current GMs or team presidents with other teams who have out clauses in their deals and who may be interested in the high-profile (and high-paying) role in Toronto.
Someone like Blues GM Doug Armstrong, who has plenty of experience and has won a Stanley Cup, could plausibly be an option, if he’s contractually able to leave St. Louis in the short window Shanahan has to make this hire.
However the GM search plays out, the Leafs are expected to hire someone who has NHL experience in the role. And it’s expected Shanahan will seek guidance from NHL commissioner Gary Bettman and the league office before making the hire, as many teams in this situation do.
As for the coaching staff, it’s believed that Joel Quenneville is intrigued by the idea of coming to Toronto. He has yet to meet with the league to be granted re-entry to the NHL after resigning as Panthers coach in October 2021 following the Blackhawks investigation into the sexual assault of former player Kyle Beach by video coach Brad Aldrich, however. As such, it feels unlikely the Leafs would be willing to make such a controversial hire at this time.
But it is safe to say that it will likely be a high-profile, experienced coach who replaces Keefe.
There’s a feeling high up in the organization that the team’s core players may benefit from a significant shakeup, including having less of a “players” coach and by trading a significant piece of the core.
While Shanahan will need a new GM in place to make moves like that, it’s apparent that whoever joins the Leafs in that role will likely be informed that more than cosmetic changes are required.
Given how complex the Leafs roster decisions are going to be this offseason, getting that GM hire right will be imperative. Without Dubas, the Leafs front office is low on experienced hands, and with so many currently in place contemplating their futures, the exodus could create even more uncertainty as the draft and free agency approach at the end of next month.
As for Dubas’ future, while he stated on Monday that he didn’t anticipate quickly relocating to a new role, the thinking around the league right now is that his views may change if he receives a significant offer in a role with full autonomy in the coming months. The situation in Ottawa, in particular, could be intriguing, with new, deep-pocketed ownership and a young roster on the rise.
A front office with the rival Senators that included Dubas as president and Spezza and Daniel Alfredsson in supporting roles would certainly make things interesting in the Atlantic Division.
Not that the Maple Leafs will need any help creating headlines at this point given the organizational upheaval that is going to continue to unfold this offseason.
(Photo: Rene Johnston / Toronto Star via Getty Images)
LAHORE, Pakistan (AP) — A top official of the Pakistan Cricket Board declined Friday to confirm media reports that India has decided against playing any games in host Pakistan during next year’s Champions Trophy.
“My view is if there’s any problems, they (India) should tell us in writing,” PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi told reporters in Lahore. “I’ll share that with the media as well as with the government as soon as I get such a letter.”
Indian media reported Friday that the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has communicated its concerns to all the Champions Trophy stakeholders, including the PCB, over the Feb. 19-March 9 tournament and would not play in arch-rival Pakistan.
The Times of India said that “Dubai is a strong candidate to host the fixtures involving the Men in Blue” for the 50-over tournament.
Such a solution would see Pakistan having to travel to a neutral venue to play India in a group match, with another potential meeting later in the tournament if both teams advanced from their group. The final is scheduled for March 9 in Pakistan with the specific venue not yet decided.
“Our stance is clear,” Naqvi said. “They need to give us in writing any objections they may have. Until now, no discussion of the hybrid model has happened, nor are we prepared to accept one.”
Political tensions have stopped bilateral cricket between the two nations since 2008 and they have competed in only multi-nation tournaments, including ICC World Cups.
“Cricket should be free of politics,” Naqvi said. “Any sport should not be entangled with politics. Our preparations for the Champions Trophy will continue unabated, and this will be a successful event.”
The PCB has already spent millions of dollars on the upgrade of stadiums in Karachi, Lahore and Rawalpindi which are due to host 15 Champions Trophy games. Naqvi hoped all the three stadiums will be ready over the next two months.
“Almost every country wants the Champions Trophy to be played here (in Pakistan),” Naqvi said. “I don’t think anyone should make this a political matter, and I don’t expect they will. I expect the tournament will be held at the home of the official hosts.”
Eight countries – Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, England, Australia, South Africa, New Zealand and Afghanistan – are due to compete in the tournament, the schedule of which is yet to be announced by the International Cricket Council.
“Normally the ICC announces the schedule of any major tournament 100 days before the event, and I hope they will announce it very soon,” Naqvi said.
RIYADH, Saudi Arabia – Ottawa‘s Gabriela Dabrowski and Erin Routliffe of New Zealand are through to the doubles final at the WTA Finals after a 7-6 (7), 6-1 victory over Nicole Melichar-Martinez of the United States and Australia’s Ellen Perez in semifinal action Friday.
Dabrowski and Routliffe won a hard-fought first set against serve when Routliffe’s quick reaction at the net to defend a Perez shot gave the duo set point, causing Perez to throw down her racket in frustration.
The second seeds then cruised through the second set, winning match point on serve when Melichar-Martinez couldn’t handle Routliffe’s shot.
The showdown was a rematch of last year’s semifinal, which Melichar-Martinez and Perez won in a super tiebreak.
Dabrowski and Routliffe will face the winner of a match between Katerina Siniakova and Taylor Townsend, and Hao-Ching Chan and Veronika Kudermetova in the final on Saturday.
Dabrowski is aiming to become the first Canadian to win a WTA Finals title.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 8, 2024.
Inter Milan winger Tajon Buchanan, recovered from a broken leg suffered in training at this summer’s Copa America, is back in Jesse Marsch’s Canada squad for the CONCACAF Nations League quarterfinal against Suriname.
The 25-year-old from Brampton, Ont., underwent surgery July 3 to repair a fractured tibia in Texas.
Canada, ranked 35th in the world, plays No. 136 Suriname on Nov. 15 in Paramaribo. The second leg of the aggregate series is four days later at Toronto’s BMO Field.
There is also a return for veteran winger Junior Hoilett, who last played for Canada in June in a 4-0 loss to the Netherlands in Marsch’s debut at the Canadian helm. The 34-year-old from Brampton, now with Scotland’s Hibernian, has 15 goals in 63 senior appearances for Canada.
Midfielder Ismael Kone, recovered from an ankle injury sustained on club duty with France’s Marseille, also returns. He missed Canada’s last three matches since the fourth-place Copa America loss to Uruguay in July.
But Canada will be without centre back Derek Cornelius, who exited Marseille’s win Sunday over Nantes on a stretcher after suffering an apparent rib injury.
The Canadian men will prepare for Suriname next week at a camp in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
“We are looking forward to getting the group together again with the mindset that there is a trophy on the line,” Marsch said in a statement. “We want to end 2024 the right way with two excellent performances against a competitive Suriname squad and continue building on our tremendous growth this past summer.”
The quarterfinal winners advance to the Nations League Finals at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, Calif., with the two semifinals scheduled for March 20 and the final and third-place playoff March 23, and qualify for the 2025 CONCACAF Gold Cup.
Thirteen of the 23 players on the Canadian roster are 25 or younger, with 19-year-old defender Jamie Knight-Lebel, currently playing for England’s Crewe Alexandra on loan from Bristol City, the youngest.
Bayern Munich star Alphonso Davies captains the side with Stephen Eustaquio, Jonathan Osorio, Richie Laryea, Alistair Johnston and Kamal Miller adding veteran support.
Jonathan David, Cyle Larin and Theo Bair are joined in attack by Minnesota United’s Tani Oluwaseyi.
Niko Sigur, a 21-year-old midfielder with Croatia’s Hadjuk Split, continues in the squad after making his debut in the September friendly against Mexico.
Suriname made it to the Nations League quarterfinals by finishing second to Costa Rica in Group A of the Nations League, ahead of No. 104 Guatemala, No. 161 Guyana and unranked Martinique and Guadeloupe.
“A good team,” Osorio said of Suriname. “These games are always tricky and they’re not easy at all … Suriname is a (former) Dutch colony and they’ll have Dutch players playing at high levels.”
“They won’t be someone we overlook at all,” added the Toronto FC captain, who has 81 Canada caps to his credit.
Located on the northeast coast of South America between Guyana and French Guiana, Suriname was granted independence in 1975 by the Netherlands.
Canada has faced Suriname twice before, both in World Cup qualifying play, winning 4-0 in suburban Chicago in June 2021 and 2-1 in Mexico City in October 1977.
The Canadian men, along with Mexico, the United States and Panama, received a bye into the final eight of the CONCACAF Nations League.
Canada, No. 2 in the CONCACAF rankings, drew Suriname as the best-placed runner-up from League A play.
Canada lost to Jamaica in last year’s Nations League quarterfinal, ousted on the away-goals rule after the series ended in a 4-4 draw. The Canadians lost 2-0 to the U.S. in the final of the 2022-23 tournament and finished fifth in 2019-20.
Canada defeated Panama 2-1 last time out, in an Oct. 15 friendly in Toronto.
Goalkeepers Maxime Crepeau and Jonathan Sirois, defenders Joel Waterman, Laryea and Miller and Osorio took part in a pre-camp this week in Toronto for North America-based players.
Canada Roster
Goalkeepers: Maxime Crepeau, Portland Timbers (MLS); Jonathan Sirois, CF Montreal (MLS); Dayne St. Clair, Minnesota United FC (MLS).
Defenders: Moise Bombito, OGC Nice (France); Alphonso Davies, Bayern Munich (Germany); Richie Laryea, Toronto FC (MLS); Alistair Johnston, Celtic (Scotland); Jamie Knight-Lebel. Crewe Alexandra, on loan from Bristol City (England); Kamal Miller, Portland Timbers (MLS); Joel Waterman, CF Montreal (MLS).
Midfielders: Ali Ahmed. Vancouver Whitecaps (MLS); Tajon Buchanan, Inter Milan (Italy); Mathieu Choiniere, Grasshopper Zurich (Switzerland); Stephen Eustaquio, FC Porto (Portugal); Junior Hoilett, Hibernian FC (Scotland); Ismael Kone, Olympique Marseille (France); Jonathan Osorio, Toronto FC (MLS); Jacob Shaffelburg, Nashville SC (MLS); Niko Sigur, Hadjuk Split (Croatia).
Forwards: Theo Bair, AJ Auxerre (France); Jonathan David, LOSC Lille (France); Cyle Larin, RCD Mallorca (Spain); Tani Oluwaseyi, Minnesota United (MLS).
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This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 8, 2024.
