Lamoriello said he is not sure what to expect in his new role with the Maple LeafsGETTY IMAGES
Maple Leafs President Brendan Shanahan said that he "won't be rushing into a decision" regarding who will be the team's next GM after announcing Lou Lamoriello will leave the position to become a Senior Adviser following the team's first-round playoff loss to the Bruins, according to Mark Zwolinski of the TORONTO STAR. Maple Leafs Assistant GM Kyle Dubas has been "regarded as Lamoriello's heir apparent and is the architect of what is considered to be one of the most advanced operations models in the sport." However, Shanahan said, "I don't have a timetable at this time." While Shanahan "could open up the search to include several highly-respected candidates currently on the market, Dubas was part of the so-called 'Shanaplan' to restore the Leafs from the bottom of the standings to a youth-driven, consistent Stanley Cup threat." Lamoriello said that he is "not sure what to expect in his new role." He added, "My responsibility is right here with the Toronto Maple Leafs. I made an agreement three years ago, my intent is (to honour) that. There are no other thoughts in my mind at this point" (TORONTO STAR, 5/1). The GLOBE & MAIL's David Shoalts writes this is Shanahan's "riskiest move in his four years as president." Shanahan "exposed the organization to months of fallout if the succession plan does not play out well." But there is "every indication the Leaf president has a well-considered plan in place." Shanahan can also "point to his own track record as president, which has the franchise on an upward trajectory since he decided to tear the team apart and start over in the winter" of '15 (GLOBE & MAIL, 5/1).
HEIR TO THE THRONE: In Toronto, Bruce Arthur writes it is "going to be Dubas, or it’s going to be a shock." The "analytically-fluent Dubas was identified as a star by Shanahan the first time they met, and the Leafs blocked him" from taking the Avalanche GM job last year. He is just 31, and it was "not believed that he and Lamoriello had much in the way of chemistry." Dubas is the "kind of creative thinker who should be the future of hockey" (TORONTO STAR, 5/1). Also in Toronto, Terry Koshan writes on the off-chance Dubas is "passed over for the job in Toronto, he would be [in] line to be hired as a GM by another NHL team." Dubas has "done nothing since being enlisted nearly four years ago to lead observers to believe he isn’t ready to take control of the Leafs" (TORONTO SUN, 5/1).
TOO SOON? In Toronto, Steve Simmons writes Lamoriello is "angry, he's upset, he's frustrated and he doesn't understand or accept the logic" Shanahan has "applied in kicking him to a consultant's curb with the hockey club." If the baton is "passed to Dubas, there will be questions." Simmons: "We know he's young, we know he’s bright, but what we don’t know is, can he do the job? In sports, you don’t find that out until it’s decision time." Lamoriello has "reason to be upset." He "did his job well." Simmons: "He hasn't lost a step. There was no need, Shanaplan aside, to replace him now" (TORONTO SUN, 5/1).
