GM Kyle Dubas Talks Deadline Needs And Evaluates Maple Leafs’ 2021 Season So Far
A rather mundane Tuesday March 16th, has been turned into an interesting day in Leafs land by some small and indicative moves by the Toronto Maple Leafs, not to mention Kyle Dubas held a small presser as a pre-cursor to trade deadline and to shed some light on the season to date.
First things first, the Leafs put Jimmy Vesey on waivers and also announced forward Scott Sabourin and goaltender Joseph Woll have been reassigned to the Toronto Marlies. Scott Sabourin being sent down to the Marlies makes room for Jimmy Vesey should he clear waivers. Putting Jimmy Vesey on waivers allows more flexibility cap wise for the Leafs heading into the trade deadline as well. More interestingly Joseph Wall bein sent down to the Marlies marks a return to health for Jack Campbell as it looks like he will most likely play this Friday or Saturday as the Leafs have a back to back coming up in the schedule. This is a welcome sight for Leafs Nation as Freddy has been battling a some inconsistency and a lower body injury all season and needs some nights off to recoup the injury going into the playoffs as there are only 26 games left in the season.
Forward Scott Sabourin and goaltender Joseph Woll have been reassigned to the @TorontoMarlies.
— Leafs PR (@LeafsPR) March 16, 2021
Waivers: Byron (MON), Forsberg (WIN), Grigorenko (CLB), Vesey (TOR)
— Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) March 16, 2021
Kyle Dubas says Jimmy Vesey was placed on waivers to increase roster flexibility. The #leafs have been squeezed since Jack Campbell came off LTIR.
— Chris Johnston (@reporterchris) March 16, 2021
Vesey on waivers today. Some juggling with cap situation as Campbell, Simmonds come closer to returning, Dubas says. #Leafs
— Terry Koshan (@koshtorontosun) March 16, 2021
In regards to the Maple Leafs 2020-2021 season Kyle Dubas re-iterated his confidence in the Leafs current defense corps, saying that he was confident that the off-season moves the Maple Leafs made have solidified the Leafs defense and that he is confident that this group can get the job done. Kyle Dubas also said, “The standings are a fair indication of our overall quality in the first half of the season.” In saying that the Maple Leafs GM also said that the Leafs will explore every opportunity they can to improve.
Dubas (before questions): "The standings are a fair indication of our overall quality in the first half of the season." Will explore trade options prior to deadline. #Leafs
— Terry Koshan (@koshtorontosun) March 16, 2021
Kyle Dubas doing a mid-season media availability now.
Mentions in his opening remarks the upcoming trade deadline, and said of #Leafs, "I think it's very clear that our team will explore every opportunity we can to improve as we head towards the trade deadline."
— Kristen Shilton (@kristen_shilton) March 16, 2021
Kyle Dubas in regards to his goaltending said this about Frederik Andersen, “tremendous ability to gather himself when he may not be playing to the standard he sets for himself.”
Dubas has faith in Frederik Andersen and the goalie's "tremendous ability to gather himself when he may not be playing to the standard he sets for himself." #Leafs
— Terry Koshan (@koshtorontosun) March 16, 2021
Kyle Dubas on whether #Leafs are "set" with goaltending:
"I think when healthy and when everyone is up and rolling, I think it's a great tandem. And Hutch has come in and given us good minutes...I've got a lot of belief in both Fred and Jack and Hutch when he's in."
— Kristen Shilton (@kristen_shilton) March 16, 2021
Kyle Dubas in regards to Alex Galchenyuk.
Kyle Dubas on Alex Galchenyuk:
"It was clear that we needed to get into a situation where we could reset Alex, and start to build him back up. We wanted to stabilize them, get him working with our development staff and then get him rolling in games with the Marlies."
— Kristen Shilton (@kristen_shilton) March 16, 2021
Dubas on Galchenyuk: "Reports from Greg (Moore) and the Marlies staff, he has been outstanding ... we want to continue to have him build up his confidence." In time, expected to get an opportunity with the #Leafs.
— Terry Koshan (@koshtorontosun) March 16, 2021
One thing that really stood out to me was the urgency that Kyle Dubas feels in terms of making a move and capitalizing on the this season and the opportunity that is in front of them. Due to the Covid-19 restrictions and the 14 day quarantine rules players comming from the Unites States have to abide by, now would be the best time to make a move since the Leafs only play 4 games in the next 13 days. The Maple Leafs GM also tipped his hand in mentioning that most of his calls with other GM’s are in regards to adding up front and not on the back-end. This would reiterate what he said about the Leafs defense being better and that Kyle is content at the moment in staying pat on the back end. Kyle Dubas for the first time as GM of the Toronto Maple Leafs said that he was willing to trade a top end prospect to get what he needs done. That is probably the most telling statement from today that really shows that Kyle is feeling the pressure and the urgency to do whatever it takes to win now.
Dubas says they'll look at everything but did admit the forward position is where they're more focused right now in terms of adding before the deadline https://t.co/HBUK9ssa90
— Pierre LeBrun (@PierreVLeBrun) March 16, 2021
Kyle Dubas said most of the conversations #Leafs are having ahead of the trade deadline are forward related:
"We had to move out some forwards that were good for us in order to add on the back end and thus we feel like that's an area where we may want to look at a bit more."
— Kristen Shilton (@kristen_shilton) March 16, 2021
Would Kyle Dubas consider trading a top prospect to improve #Leafs this season?
"Yes."
— Kristen Shilton (@kristen_shilton) March 16, 2021
Asked by @joshuakloke if the Leafs would trade a top prospect this season, Kyle Dubas responds: "Yes."
— Jonas Siegel (@jonassiegel) March 16, 2021
Dubas looking at all trade options, rental or not. Adds "it's a rare time where probably a rental is a better fit." #Leafs
— Terry Koshan (@koshtorontosun) March 16, 2021
Kyle on CUP OR BUST
Kyle Dubas asked if it's a Stanley Cup-or-bust scenario for #Leafs this season, reiterated his desire is to see team become a long-term competitor:
"In this position, my focus has to be on the long run and building a program that can reach our objective."
— Kristen Shilton (@kristen_shilton) March 16, 2021
KEY TAKEAWEAYS:
The 4 takeaways from Dubas' avail:
1) Hopes to make a trade ASAP because of the 14-day quarantine;
2) He would trade a top prospect;
3) He would prefer a rental player, for once, over a hockey deal;
4) Confirms that the forward position is leading their deadline discussions.— Pierre LeBrun (@PierreVLeBrun) March 16, 2021