Kyle Dubas declares a negative Toronto narrative “soundly defeated”
Does this put the alleged narrative to rest?
The Toronto Maple Leafs got their man, acquiring veteran defenseman Mark Giordano from the expansion Seattle Kraken ahead of yesterday's NHL Trade Deadline.
And it certainly helps that Giordano is a native of Toronto, and reportedly stated that if he were dealt, he wanted to play for his hometown team.
And while Toronto is known for their media that heavily scrutinizes every aspect of their team, GM Kyle Dubas clapped back on an alleged narrative that players don't want to suit up in the city thanks to the enormous pressure that can come with it.
"As to how it affects different players, when I first stated here, there was a narrative that local players didn’t want to come and play here; that the scrutiny and pressure were too much on them and their families. One of the great things that has happened — and I can only speak to my time here — is that the narrative has been soundly defeated.
A lot of local players want to come and play here. I think they find it to be a great place for their families and that the community is very supportive. There are moments — like in any place, business, or walk of life — where it probably doesn’t go as well as you want, but I think the positives… We have a lot of players from the area that love it and enjoy playing here.
That has been a real positive — not only for the Maple Leafs but for the city — to have those players from the area want to be here."
Of course, the pressure certainly didn't stop hometown boy John Tavares from coming aboard in 2018.
"In a veteran player like Mark’s case, I don’t know him very well," Dubas said. "I spoke to him yesterday for the first time ever. To me, it seems to have its advantages. He is playing for a lot. He wants to win. He still has a lot left in the tank and a lot left to give. I think he can give a lot in our locker room and give a lot on the ice."
