Kyle Dubas named Penguins President of Hockey Ops

[4EVRLEAFAN]

Pens win the Cup before we do, if we ever do...lol

[Zanzibar Buck-Buck McFate]

Pens win the Cup before we do, if we ever do...lol

Again, the Leafs won many Cups before Pittsburgh was even in the league.

Hisytory really did not begin the day you were born.

[4EVRLEAFAN]

Pens win the Cup before we do, if we ever do...lol

Again, the Leafs won many Cups before Pittsburgh was even in the league.

Hisytory really did not begin the day you were born.

Sorry, If we ever do, "again" LOL

[OldTimeHockey]

While the statements by Dubas during his press conference are pointed to as items that swayed the Leafs and Shanahan to move in another direction, I think what the press conference actually did was connect the dots on why Dubas was throwing water bottles, arguing with fans and overall seeming a little unhinged during the playoffs.

Heard an interview with Burke and this was mentioned. His response was basically I'd be right there with him lol.

Yeah, from Burke it is expected. From Dubas, a generally reserved GM, it's a little eyebrow raising. While you like to see the fire, when the actions are followed by a press conference like Dubas', you kind of go "ohhhhhh I see"

[CarltonTheBear]

https://twitter.com/penguins/status/1668981746283470855

Not particularily surprising.

[Bender]

https://twitter.com/penguins/status/1668981746283470855

Not particularily surprising.

Not at all.

[L K]

Not surprising.  I'm over things at this point as the only thing that matters is the team in the end but it still sucks to see Spezza outside the organization after his time with the team.

[herman]

https://www.nhl.com/penguins/news/kyle-dubas-leadership-shines-at-nhl-scouting-combine/c-344800252
The Spezza announcement led me to this piece, with a special re-appearance of the two-phone meme.

[Peter D.]

This to me affirms that whatever friction there was between Shanahan and Dubas was far too large to bridge, and Dubas had this whole thing planned all along. 

Didn't care for Dubas, so I'm not rankled by this one bit.  He does deserve an Oscar for that sob performance he put on in his final press conference though.

[Nik]

This to me affirms that whatever friction there was between Shanahan and Dubas was far too large to bridge, and Dubas had this whole thing planned all along. 

How does it do that? Spezza was clearly Dubas' guy so when Dubas left it made sense that Spezza would go too just like guys on Nick Nurse's staff have joined him at his new job. I'm not sure what that actually says about the circumstances of his departure.

[Peter D.]

This to me affirms that whatever friction there was between Shanahan and Dubas was far too large to bridge, and Dubas had this whole thing planned all along. 

How does it do that? Spezza was clearly Dubas' guy so when Dubas left it made sense that Spezza would go too just like guys on Nick Nurse's staff have joined him at his new job. I'm not sure what that actually says about the circumstances of his departure.

Dubas was going to leave the Leafs and Spezza was sure to follow.  Pretty simple to me.

[bustaheims]

This to me affirms that whatever friction there was between Shanahan and Dubas was far too large to bridge, and Dubas had this whole thing planned all along. 

I'm not convinced he had it planned, but it definitely feels like he had it in his back pocket in the final few days.

[Nik]

Dubas was going to leave the Leafs and Spezza was sure to follow.  Pretty simple to me.

I'm still not following. Spezza was Dubas' guy so if Dubas left Spezza was going to go with. How does that support the notion that it was predetermined? That a possible outcome has predictable consequences doesn't mean that the outcome is a sure thing.

[Nik]

This to me affirms that whatever friction there was between Shanahan and Dubas was far too large to bridge, and Dubas had this whole thing planned all along. 

I'm not convinced he had it planned, but it definitely feels like he had it in his back pocket in the final few days.

He had what in his back pocket? Dubas didn't have a contract. If he didn't want to come back to the Leafs he didn't have to do anything but say so.

[Peter D.]

Dubas was going to leave the Leafs and Spezza was sure to follow.  Pretty simple to me.

I'm still not following. Spezza was Dubas' guy so if Dubas left Spezza was going to go with. How does that support the notion that it was predetermined? That a possible outcome has predictable consequences doesn't mean that the outcome is a sure thing.

Who's suggesting that Spezza wasn't going to follow Dubas?

Whether you agree or disagree, all signs point to Dubas having had the Penguins' job lined up if things went sideways with the Leafs.  This was starting to be reported in the months prior.  Him leaving, signing a long-term, massive deal to boot, and Spezza tagging along for the ride is not the least bit surprising.