Rumor: Leafs and Flames trying to hire same GM?!

With all the 'will he or won't he' speculation surrounding Toronto Maple Leafs GM Kyle Dubas these days, Dubas himself took the time today to address rumors of his future.

There has been speculation that Dubas, who is without a contract for next season, might move on from the Leafs. In particular he has been tied to the Pittsburgh Penguins from several well informed NHL insiders. Today, Dubas told reporters essentially that it's Toronto or bust for him. He stated that if he does NOT work for the Leafs next season, then he will likely step away from the NHL for at least a year.

"It's been a taxing year on them and that's very important to me," Dubas said. "My family is a hugely important partner in what I do. So, for me to commit without having a fuller understanding of what this year took on them is probably unfair of me to answer," Dubas said. "I wish I can give you more but I haven't had those discussions yet, but it was a hard year on them."

"I definitely don't have it in me to go anywhere else," Dubas stated. "So it'll need to be here or it'll be taking time to recalibrate and reflect on the seasons here. You won't see me pop up elsewhere next week. I can't put them (my family) through that after this year."

I fully believe Dubas when he says this.... but... the thing is that money changes things. If the Penguins were to come along and offer Dubas full control and a truck load of money, I'm willing to bet that his perspective changes a little. Maybe I'm wrong, but it wouldn't be the first time that an NHL GM said one thing and then did another.

The pressure on Dubas to succeed must be overwhelming. It was clear at points this season that the Leafs' GM was overwhelmed. Remember this?

You won't see any other NHL GM's getting into shouting matches with fans at an away game. 

Another interesting wrinkle in this entire development is the fact that TSN insider Chris Johnston reported today that Leafs' ownership is prepared to give Dubas a contract extension this offseason.

From Johnston's latest column:

The MLSE board is finally willing to grant Dubas a contract extension after declining to do so last summer, but there’s a desire to wrap things up quickly. We’re talking as early as Tuesday or Wednesday, according to sources.

- Chris Johnston

If that's the case, then the Leafs and Dubas would be wise to make things happen quickly. No sense in letting the media run wild with continued rumors during an important offseason for the team. 

Johnston also reports that Leafs' assistant GM Brandon Pridham is a candidate for promotion to the GM position if Dubas elects to not return. Interestingly enough though, Johnston reports that the Calgary Flames have interest in Pridham as well for their vacant GM position.

Again from Johnston:

Perhaps it’s as simple as promoting assistant general manager Brandon Pridham, who has been with the organization since August 2014 as a salary cap specialist and has since added important responsibilities like taking the lead on contract negotiations. He’s a valued asset that would provide continuity and has been linked to the ongoing Calgary Flames GM search.

- Chris Johnston

Musical chairs in Canada? If so, what happens with Brad Treliving? It's not a stretch to think that the Leafs may be interested in him, as well.

Again from Johnston:

Many of the external candidates are well down the road in the process for other job openings, although one that isn’t – recently departed Flames GM Brad Treliving – would likely be of strong interest.

- Chris Johnston

It's like 'Wife Swap: NHL Edition'!