Molson Canadian presents The Leaf: Blueprint #1: Kyle Dubas

With training camp set to begin, Kyle Dubas reflects on his journey from Sault Ste. Marie to becoming General Manager of the Toronto Maple Leafs.

[@leafs34]

Who ever makes these deserve a raise and an oscar ever since season 1 they were amazing. Just wish they were longer like they used to be. 15+ min

[@HeyStripes]

this is THE most excited I have ever been for a hockey season!

[@stewardo]

I love Kyle Dubas. Dude is going to have a statue on Legends Row in 20 years. Bring on the season!

[@SJO2112]

I am going to watch this 91 times tonight

[@MK-ce7ry]

So proud that this is the gm of my team

[@kidfortoday]

It's so weird to be this proud of a rookie GM but between the things he's done for the Marlies and now the Leafs he has earned my utmost respect and trust.

[@nyrangersfan6325]

5 years later, how about now? Haha

[@hurricane1924]

This guy is an ABSOLUTE beauty. Love the passion in him for the Leafs. This is exactly what this organization needed. Heart. GO LEAFS GO!

[@TonyHightower]

Aw, sweet. I love this series. So very glad it's back.

[@loganlightscreative]

Thanks for putting this series back on KZbin! Having it exclusively on the Leafs app last year wasn’t great.

[@CoolsBreeze]

Tragic what happened in the end... He deserved more years with the Leafs.

[@lambertslife3682]

Proud to be from Sault Ste. Marie

[@tiltnmafks]

YOU DID IT KYLE WE WON A ROUND

[@T2P661]

Been a leaf fan since the 05-06 season, and this is the most competitive leaf team I’ve seen so far

[@Kenandlizabeehaven]

I've been a fan since 66 and yes I do remember the last cup this is the team I've been waiting for for 40 years Go Leafs Go

[@autumnfall1997]

Same here

[@taylormarcos3138]

the future is bright, the cup is waiting. bring on 2018-19!

[@icebreaker1264]

Sandin was a good pick

[@joeshedler6496]

rel gud GM, can't wait to see what we can do this season!

[@noahevans2554]

REPRESENT SAULT ONTARIO. 💪💪💪💪

[@fiftymissioncap9045]

Where's Willy

[@kevinbobandy532]

1 islander fan dislikes this

[@puksindheep7561]

That GM looks 22 on that first clip

[@aaronstephenkwok]

Ok Google, play "Be-leaf" by Cher.

[@mreppen1]

He did ok. I hope he does not have an attitude against the TML. I would think Kyle has enough respect.

[@EDDYEAGLE]

Lmao, they screwed up, Running the biggest franchise in all of hockey is a kid who didn’t even grow up playing the game at a high level but was a water boy turned analytics guy turned assistant GM turned GM I don’t care how nice of a guy he is, he clearly doesn’t know the game. He could probably pass as a NBA GM with his skill set, even NFL. This was the dumbest decision in all of sports - look at what he’s done: Signed Tavares to 11M Signed Nylander to a cave in amount Signed Matthews Traded Leivo for a bag of pucks Nothing really special, but soon you’ll eventually see how he doesn’t know how to handle the squad, the squad that everyone in the NHL is forced to pay attention to because of the media. What a disgrace to choose Dubas over Hunter and to conintue “the plan” and let lamoriello go. I think Shanahan said hey, the nhl is getting younger why not make management younger, and trust me boys. That’s the stupidest decision ever, everyone knows you respect your elders and that’s because they know, this guy doesn’t know. Sure he’s younger but he doesn’t even know the game though. And these other GMs will never want to get beat on a trade by a young non true hockey guy GM. What a disgrace. And don’t get me wrong he’s a good guy, but not a good guy for the job. Period

[@wes6244]

Sounds like to me you’re stuck on his age and his path to becoming an NHL GM and are making assumptions based off of that. Shanahan, a person who undoubtedly knows more about being a champion than yourself has put his faith in Dubas. Also, Hunter has been in discussions for more GM jobs since and he has also been passed on. As great as Lou has been during his stint in Toronto, he also made stupid shortsighted decisions such as signing Marleau. Which unfortunately costed a first rounder for Dubas to undo. Marleau is amazing and him mentoring the younger Leafs is invaluable but to have his cap hit extend into the years where Marner and Matthews both need to be signed was stupid. Lou’s body of work in Toronto won’t be ignored because of this one gaffe though, nor should Dubas’s future gaffes. We are now entering year two of him being GM. While we are seeing immediate changes such as Kadri for Barrie, Kerfoot trade or him manipulating CBA loopholes to fit the best roster within the cap ceiling, the long term is where his work behind the scenes will truly show. Such as how the contracts he signs RFAs to age, how his draft choices develop, and the people he surrounds himself with. The point is that it’s too early to deem his hiring a mistake when you’re basing you’re assumption off of his age and path to his success.

[@rw4578]

He's a wizard. Also the best guy for the job. He's still dealing with contracts he didn't sign but he still manages to get really good trades done. And he sure does know the game, he's been neck deep into hockey AND management for all his life. He's made multiple teams champions which is now than you have done, mr. Armchair GM. Stop obsessing over his age and focus on his skills.