TRAIKOS: Leafs GM Kyle Dubas is betting on his core in what could be the final year of his contract

Kyle Dubas is on the fifth and perhaps final year of his contract. He didn't get an extension from the team president Brendan Shanahan. It's a make-or-break year for the Toronto Maple Leafs. They need to win the Stanley Cup or at least get close to it to keep Duba. Dubs didn’t make a big trade or upgrade the defence this summer. The team has failed to get out of the first round of playoffs for four straight years. Dubis believes the players are capable of breaking through and winning a championship. Other people in the organization are starting to doubt his claims. "I fully expect to be judged on my work over the five-year term of my contract"

Kyle Dubas is betting on his core group of forwards. Duba didn't get extended and his future is out of his hands. He signed John Tavares to a $10-million cap hit and fired Mike Babcock and hired Sheldon Keefe. Toronto is considered a Cup favourite but the team might not be any better than last year's. The Atlantic Division didn’t get worse. Tampa Bay, Florida and Boston are expected to battle Toronto for one of the top-three playoff seeds. Ottawa, Detroit and Buffalo are making improvements. Toronto's rivals are also getting more competitive. It's the first time in four years that Dubs' and Shanahan's jobs are on the line.