John Tavares reveals true view on Kyle Dubas' departure

It was one of the biggest free agent signings in Toronto Maple Leafs history in the summer of 2018, when new general manager Kyle Dubas was able to lure Ontario native and former New York Islanders captain John Tavares back home with a hefty seven year, $77 million pact. 

And while there were more than a few detractors of the deal considering the fact that Toronto already had ample depth at the center position, Tavares has worked out well for the Leafs in terms of regular season play. In three of his five years with the Leafs so far, he's eclipsed the 75 point mark. And last season, he played a key role in helping the Leafs advance past Round 1 of the postseason for the first time sine 2004 by scoring the OT series-winning goal against the Lightning. 

Toronto's magic would run out against the eventual Eastern Conference champion Florida Panthers. Not long afterward, there were several eyebrows raised when Dubas was terminated from the Leafs by team president Brendan Shanahan. 

Needless to say, Tavares said that the news of the firing came as a surprise.

"You're always surprised," he said. "You guys know the impact Kyle has made on me and the role he played when I was a free agent and convincing me why this opportunity was the right one. We understand that's the business of the game and things happen."

Dubas has since rebounded, taking the job of team president with the Pittsburgh Penguins and is now a foe of the Leafs and their new general manager in Brad Treliving, who will have a major decision to make in the near future - not only of Tavares and his future with the team, but in fellow core forwards Auston Matthews and William Nylander.

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