Maple Leafs Commentary: Not Extending Dubas a Smart Move

Kyle Dubas' contract was not extended by the Toronto Maple Leafs' president. Duba is signed to a contract that expires at the end of the 2022-23 season.

Shanahan might have acted strategically by not extending the contract of the general manager, because the core players on the team have been paid handsomely by Dubas. They have a good relationship and rapport with Duba and seem to enjoy playing for him. All five players have stated on record that they need to step up this season.

Sheldon Keefe's job is in jeopardy. He has a record of 116-50-19 in 185 games. His team just finished their best regular season ever with 115 points. They have not won a single round in the playoffs in his three seasons as head coach.

Keefe is starting the 2022-23 season with a team that doesn't look as good on paper as the one that finished the 2021-22 season. Keefe has been "gifted" by a goalie who cleared waivers last season (Matt Murray) and a player who didn't get a qualifying offer as a restricted free agent from the team he was drafted in the first round of the 2015 Entry Draft (Ilya Samsonov, Washington Capitals).

Mike Babcock was fired in November 2019. The team had a 9-10-4 record after 23 games to start the 2019-20 season. If the Maple Leafs have a similar start to the 2022-23 season, Keefe's job could be on the line.

Las Vegas oddsmakers are betting that Sheldon Keefe will be fired this season. If Keffe leaves, it's possible that Dubas will follow him.