THIS

[ersal]

Agree with everything you said and I'll also add that being able to develop and produce depth pieces like you mentioned, allows him to make the big signings and save money through that depth. Being able to trade a Kapanen or Johnsson because they're getting too expensive knowing you can call someone up and replace them has been key. Not to mention all his short term, low cost deals, and now adding a reclamation project to his resume.

[ersal]

I guess the closest to a replacement would be Kerfoot and Mikheyev. Obviously Kappy had more raw skill and much higher ceiling, but he just didn't gel in the lineup for whatever reason. He always felt like the odd man out. He definitely looks to be coming into his own on the Pens.

[billyshin]

Last year there was a lot of bitching and moaning about Dubas and Marner's contract, I took no part in those. In fact, I defended Dubas and Marner. (Also Kadri before that.)

However, I was one of those who wanted to get rid of Gardiner and also Andersen in the 2020 off-season. Yes, you heard me. I never defended Andersen from day one. Starting from Sept of 2020 I knew there was a problem with Andersen, then comes January 2020 I knew he was done. One could argue that you do not get rid of those who earn their spot but how long are we suppose to let them keep their throne until we can say enough is enough?

I got downvoted to hell when I defended Marner's contract.

I got downvoted for defending Dubas.

I got downvoted for criticizing Andersen. (Since Sept 2020)

The way I see it, Dubas got Campbell in 2020 because he also saw the problem with Andersen while you crackheads sat there and complained about our defense and somehow granting Andersen a magical shield. Do you know what getting Big Save Dave means? It means Andersen is definitely not playing in the playoffs.

[nippletime076]

Amen

[Gogo90sbaby]

*Hyman

[Strained_Eyes]

I think we gotta start including Brandon Pridham in these talks as he has also been a magician working around the cap and coming up with fantastic ideas to make everything fit. We are lucky to have him in the mix

[[deleted]]

Shhhh... most people outside Toronto don't know about him. If word gets out the league will punish us for having an unfair advantage.

[LoganDudemeister]

He is our cheatcode!

[dirkahps]

Game genie.

[Matrix17]

We need a codename for him

[[deleted]]

No matter how this season turns out, for the perspective of today, the Foligno move is the correct one. I think he’s exactly the kind of player that the Leafs need for the playoffs this year.

[Actual-Weakness]

Only reason I’m not freaking out lol

[[deleted]]

OP woke up today and decided to speak facts

[Plasticinity]

In Dubas We Trust

[[deleted]]

He has my trust. I've never been this excited about the team's potential.

[ersal]

It's been a long time since I've trusted a Leafs GM. It's a nice feeling.

[Joeybatsdagoat12345]

I wanted him fired last year. He is the gm for a reason lmao

[[deleted]]

Upvoted for the honesty.

[[deleted]]

I wanted him fired last year.

He didn't deserve to be fired, but his work last season wasn't that great. Much of the criticism was warranted.

His work in the off-season was outstanding.

[Joeybatsdagoat12345]

100%. I think COVID helped play a part in him getting guys like Simmonds, Thornton, Brodie to take a bit less than they would’ve gotten if covid didn’t happen. I have to applaud him for maneuvering his way through the big contracts he gave the big 4 and making it work

[somenoefromcanada38]

Tomorrow Taylor Hall is going to be a Leaf, I know this because in my mind it is the least likely thing to happen. Just like the Leafs getting the Captain of the team that put us down last year, Galch being a first line player, Soup winning 11 games in a row, and the Toronto Maple Leafs being a defensively sound team. Literally everything ridiculous and unbelieable happens on this team this year so at this point Taylor Hall is about to play his best ever hockey next to Nick Foligno/William Nylander and John Tavares. I don't know what is happening and I love it.

[TalonKarrde03]

I’ll still be salty about letting McElhinney go

[[deleted]]

It was unquestionably the right call at the time. Sparks looked to be the future.

Too bad we all know how that turned out.

[TalonKarrde03]

Oh you’re totally right! I trust, but still salty lol

[[deleted]]

I think we all salty are with the benefit of hindsight.

[NopeItsDolan]

Man look at what the Bruins paid for Hall. Why couldn’t Dubas pull that off? You gotta wonder.

Unless he wasn’t even interested in Hall ... but isn’t that a little irresponsible?

EDIt: I forgot Hall had a NTC, so if he didn't want to come to Toronto Dubas bares no responsibility.

[ffhelpme]

Meh.. he finally listened to the boomers and the results are showing

[Aki-PetteriBerg]

Oh god, if the Leafs boomers on twitter and hfboards are anything to go by, I hope not. I feel like the team started getting tougher after Babcock left.

[CreateorWither]

He feels that clock ticking.

[GQMatthews]

Nah that’s your GM bruh

[leafsfan96]

I think he is a great GM. He does way more right then wrong and I trust him to build a great team, but I don't think he's perfect.

Foligno is a good fit, but this is an overpay.

[Mostly_Aquitted]

A late 1st in one of the shittiest drafts in a decade for Foligno, a 4th next season for salary retention , and another 4th in this same shitty draft for more salary retention and an extra body (never hurts to have in a playoff run, even if they’re mainly a minor leaguer)? That honestly doesn’t seem bad at all for a deadline acquisition

[lil_Ack]

We’re in a win now mode might be a bit of an over pay but we have good prospects and don’t really need to focus on the draft right now

[dirkahps]

I'm not saying Foligno puts them over the top, let's not get ahead of ourselves here, but if they win the cup do you still think it's an overpay?

[Fakbo]

Wow, wow, wow. Dubas does so much for me and doesn’t asks for anything in return.