Kyle Dubas Changes Maple Leafs’ Identity for the Playoffs ‘There’s No Reason For Us To Beat Around It’
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Kyle Dubas Changes Maple Leafs’ Identity for the Playoffs ‘There’s No Reason For Us To Beat Around It’
SEATTLE — Kyle Dubas doesn’t like the term ‘playoff goals’ but having watched his team sputter in the opening round of the playoffs for the past four seasons as the Toronto Maple Leafs’ general manager, he knew he had to change the dynamic.
There’s no reason for us to really beat around it. We wanted to become more competitive,” he said on Monday. “That’s been the goal here, something we feel like in those moments we’ve needed and maybe we’ve lacked a little bit of to just push us over the top.”
Nine days after he acquired 2019 Stanley Cup champion and Conn Smythe Trophy winner Ryan O’Reilly and center Noel Acciari from the St. Louis Blues, Dubas continued to add to his team by adding defenseman Jake McCabe and forward Sam Lafferty from the Chicago Blackhawks. Much like the deal with St. Louis, the Leafs parted with high draft picks but didn’t lose anybody on their active roster, nor a top prospect.
McCabe, in many ways, becomes the Jake Muzzin replacement. The latter was recently ruled out of action for the remainder of the season and playoff with a cervical spine issue.
“I just always liked how physical and competitive he is in the neutral zone,” Dubas said of the defenseman. “Combined with how he can defend and move the puck, he seems to relish that role.”
There is, of course, the lack of playoff experience. Last season he wrapped up his seventh NHL season without playing in a playoff game (he played with the Buffalo Sabres before joining the Blackhawks last season) and was unhappy with how the team’s season ended.
And while Dubas had preferred playoff experience with all of his players, he pointed to former Maple Leafs defenseman Ron Hainsey, who had a similar track record until he won a Stanley Cup with the Pittsburgh Penguins in 2017
“I went back and forth with Ronnie about that. You never know,” Dubas said as he admitted to talking to the former Leafs defenseman before making the deal. “You’d love to have guys who have all won before and have done it. But I just think that the way he plays is the best projection of how he’s going to be in those big moments. He doesn’t really give an inch to people and that’s what we’re going to need in those big moments. We think it will translate well.”
In Lafferty, the Leafs get yet another versatile bottom-six forward that can play either at center or on the wing, giving Maple Leafs head coach Sheldon Keefe more flexibility in changing the identity of the forward group.
“For me, the speed is the No. 1 thing he brings,” Dubas said of Lafferty. “The forecheck, competitiveness and tenacity on the forecheck and be able to create turnovers on the ice. Be physical and really competitive.”
When McCabe and Lafferty will play with the Leafs?
Both players were on route to Seattle and are expected to join the team for practice on Tuesday. The Leafs have back-to-back games coming up against the Edmonton Oilers and Calgary Flames and Keefe will make the decision on how to deploy the newcomers.
How long the deal was in the works and did moves around the Atlantic push things along?
Shortly after the Maple Leafs acquired O’Reilly and Acciari from the Blues, their Atlantic Division rivals began to load up. The Bruins acquired defenseman Dmitry Orlove and forward Garnet Hathaway from the Washington Capitals four days ago. The Lightning picked up forward Tanner Jeannot from the Nashville Predators late on Sunday.
Dubas said the deal with Chicago was in the works long before both of the deals.
“We have to focus on ourselves and worry about ourselves and know it’s going to be really tough,” Dubas said. “We’ve been through it before. We know these are elite elite competitors at this moment on both sides of this format in the east.
“You’re going to have two teams that are in the top-six that if it finishes that way are playing in the first round. Which is great for the fans, but it’s really tough when you’re competitive. But I think we relish it and I think we need it, actually. I think, of all teams, we should be embracing it and be ready to go for this.”
Matt Murray’s return from long-term injured reserve and how Leafs will manage the salary cap.
Dubas says the team is tracking towards a return for Matt Murray, who has accompanied the Maple Leafs for their current road trip. He is eligible to come off the long-term injured reserve list.
Per PuckPedia, once Murray returns, they’d have to clear about $1.8 million in salary cap space.
Dubas acknowledged that they will have to do something, but notes that they don’t need to do anything until the have to and cited a similar situation last season when they were facing a cap move when defenseman Rasmus Sandin injured his knee against the Nashville Predators on Mar. 17, 2022 and was out for the remainder of the season.
“An old friend of mine used to say when time is on your side, use it,” Dubas said. “So we’ll do that here. We’re aware of where everything is at.”
Will the Maple Leafs make any more moves?
Dubas said they’ll continue to work the phones between now and the Mar. 3 deadline, but also cautioned how many moves would be too many.
“It’s at the balance now where you get between are you changing the group too much,” Dubas admitted. “But the guys have received Noel (Acciari) and Ryan (O’Reilly) so well.”
Matthew Knies’ future with the Maple Leafs
Maple Leafs GM Kyle Dubas got check in with Matthew Knies and has been pleased with how the University of Minnesota has developed the forward.
“He’s come a long way there. There’s less 1-on-1, forcing plays, it’s more playing within their system and strengths and then he was imposing himself physically as well,” Dubas said.
The Leafs GM said there’s been no talk about if Knies would sign when his collegiate season comes to an end. The Arizona native and Dubas talked about a deal last year before Knies elected to return college for an additional year.
“Our focus for him is helping his team win the Big 10 and hopefully they can make a push to the national championship,” Dubas said of Knies. “We don’t want to distract him with anything.”