Hyman going, but Dubas defiant core Leafs can win

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Though he’s on the verge of losing the valued Zach Hyman as early as Thursday, Kyle Dubas says he’s metaphorically ready to die on a hill with his Core Four players and as many long-serving Maple Leafs as he can keep.

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While hardly oblivious to the calls for changes at the top, including his own removal after several first-round playoff failures as an executive, he’s defiant that the plan put together through the years will finally yield results next spring. Dubas held a media availability prior to the start of the two-day NHL draft on Friday night, but the Leafs only have three picks and the questions were all about the level of faith he’s kept in players, many of whom are 0-5 in opening rounds.

The last series, blowing a 3-1 series lead to Montreal stung the most, with low patience level around young stars Auston Matthews, Mitch Marner, William Nylander and the cap space they eat up. Their salaries and that of captain John Tavares, who was injured in Game 1 against the Habs, are a sore point.

But after a season where the Leafs finished first in the North Division, produced two all-stars in Matthews and Marner and made improvements in defensive play, Dubas isn’t bringing a sledgehammer to the main roster, at least to those under contract. Also, Jason Spezza, Wayne Simmonds and Travis Dermott have been re-signed and Dubas made the Jared McCann trade with Pittsburgh to keep Alexander Kerfoot and defenceman Justin Holl safe from the Seattle expansion draft.

“I understand some may look at it and say ‘this group hasn’t gotten it done’ and ‘why aren’t there significant changes?’,” Dubas said.

“But for better or worse, I believe in this group, believe they’re going to get it done and believe that they’re going to win. I believe in them as players, I believe in them as people. I understand that comes with a certain doubt because of the fact we have not broken through in the playoffs, but it’s my belief they will. I know that decision lies on me and what the risk is for me.

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“We’re going ahead that way, so I’m comfortable with it. I believe we’re going to see the best version of this group next season that we’ve seen yet and I’m willing to bet everything on that.”

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One overtime goal by Toronto instead of a few muck-ups and a far-too-tentative seventh game might have changed the narrative of the past seven weeks and seen the Leafs get as far as Montreal. But the continuing post-season disappointments leave Dubas with little hope of survival unless a big turnaround happens in 2022.

“I don’t need to BS anyone here. We need to continue to perform at the level we’re capable of, all the way through the regular season and set ourselves up for the playoffs like the best teams do.”

He looked on with envy at the Tampa Bay Lightning and their response whenever adversity arose, showing courage under fire and making personal and physical sacrifice in winning back-to-back Cups. He insists those lessons are being absorbed.

That will be harder to accomplish without Hyman. Dubas wouldn’t comment on reports that he and could have a sign and trade deal with the Edmonton Oilers for seven or eight years done for Hyman sometime after 1 p.m. EST Thursday when deals are permitted again following the Seattle draft.

“It was our intent to retain Zach, he’s been an excellent player for us his entire career. We’ll miss him as a player and person. But we have certain limits we can get to (thanks to the Core Four pay-outs). We’re open to anything that can help us (a draft pick in return for Hyman’s rights depending if his deal is longer), so if there’s fair value to be had there, we’ll certainly explore.”

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While the moves to add personnel such as Nick Foligno for last year’s playoffs leave the Leafs with just three picks, Dubas said his staff saw this coming and were pleased to have netted 12 last season for the pot.

He added that free agents to help in goal, as a partner for Jack Campbell, to try and replace Hyman’s grit and to have in place on the blueline if either Rasmus Sandin and Timothy Liljegren aren’t yet ready to replace UFA Zach Bogosian are off season priorities. As is taking a hard look at Toronto’s talented, but under-achieving power play, perhaps taking a less cerebral approach in tactics to ease the pressure on the group.

lhornby@postmedia.com