Hugh's Highland View: Those 10 words from Kyle Dubas

“I don’t have it in me to go anywhere else.”

That said, the post-season pecking order in the offices of the Toronto Maple Leafs was firmly established for everyone to understand.

General manager Kyle Dubas, well exposed during the NHL playoffs as an emotional, intensely excitable individual, put those 10 words together during the club’s end-of-year media availability session at Scotiabank Arena.

There was more meaning given in that statement than any other made at the get-together. It offered, in an emotional way for all to see, that Dugas will be the most pertinent person on the management team to direct the team through its off-season decisions.

Prior to the Dubas comment, others present simply reiterated what was expected to be said and argued.

Those 10 words silenced everyone else in the room (team president Brendan Shanahan was noticeably absent) as the GM’s views instantly handed an emotion-filled situation to everyone within hearing distance.

It in itself was emotional.

Taking a stand on where he stood in the club’s future, Dubas confirmed that, before he announced his own position, he said he would consult his wife, Shannon, and other members of his family before announcing any decision.

The media representatives present went silent as he explained what’s most important to him.

“I think it requires me to have a full family discussion” is the way he was quoted in various media releases. “My family is a hugely important part of what I do, so for me to commit to anything without having a fuller understanding of what this year took on them is probably unfair for me to answer where I’m at.”

In an era when sports executives (like the players who play for them) seem to always put the mighty dollar ahead of everything else, it was a nice change to see a man concerned, first about his family, then his own future plans.

If available, I’m sure Dubas will be offered the chance to remain in Leaf Nation for what will be a very critical off-season for hockey’s most popular franchise.

Now that it’s clear he has no plans, similar to those of some counterparts in other cities, it seems clear and necessary to give him at least a few days to talk with those he loves. There’s too little of that in the professional sports world.

So what is going to happen in the wake of the Leafs’ 56th consecutive year without the big silver mug?

Me thinks a lot.

I won’t be one bit surprised if one of the so-called big four stars is moved in a monster trade. Until these latest failed playoffs, I wouldn’t have said that.

Now, however, I can envision it happening, whether it’s Dubas or a replacement in the GM’s office. The one thing I wonder about is whether or not Shanahan will be the one making the final decision. I still question his choice of staying away from last week’s post-season gabfest.

It’s a lifetime ago (and seems even longer than that) since I was present for Toronto’s last three cup-winning nights. Those champagne parties in the dressing room were three of the most memorable experiences I enjoyed in my career.

I still remember driving back to Nova Scotia following the title game in 1967 and wondering if I’d be lucky enough to be in the middle of still more championship celebrations in future.

I haven’t been and, of course, one reason is that the Maple Leafs haven’t gotten back to that mountaintop in these 56 years. Now I wonder if I will even be alive to see another cup win.

If you know me (and even if you don’t) I doubt I’d shock anyone that I’ve been a Maple Leafs fan for 77 years. That actually scares me when I realize neither my father nor mother even got to 77 years of age.

What makes people around me laugh now is that, like the kid in that famous and legendary hockey book, I really wanted Santa Claus to bring me a Montreal Canadiens sweater.

At least I adjusted my thinking rapidly to avoid that kind of mistake.

A week ago, I thought I’d be writing about a four-game Leafs sweep at the hands of the Florida Panthers. When Toronto managed one victory in the Eastern Conference semifinals, my column deadline saved me from filing a comment that I was embarrassed by the Leafs’ elimination in the minimum of games.

Nonetheless, sweep or no sweep, 2022-23 was a bitter pill to swallow.

Eight months ago, I was believing in a Toronto return to glory. How could it be otherwise with the talent in the Leafs nest? Five names in particular – Auston Matthews, Mitch Marner, John Tavares, William Nylander and Morgan Rielly – seemed to convince me that a solid run at the cup could happen.

They never got close to that.

Before Halloween, goaltending was proving inefficient. Oft-injured Matt Murray was soon showing us that he would be, yes, oft-injured. Ilya Samsonov would convince even long-time fans that he would have great moments, but also damaging moments.

It wasn’t a lineup you could depend on at playoff time.

So here we are, with a final four that, once again, doesn’t contain a single team from Canada. Ouch. Four times ouch.

Recall fans from the 1950s and ’60s, that great Original Six era, and they wouldn’t know what we’re talking about. Carolina Hurricanes against Panthers, Stars opposing Golden Knights.

Sorry, I’m not too interested.

My evenings and weekend afternoons are now reserved for the Blue Jays.

They’re already into a division-deep battle for positions with the Yankees, Lightning, Orioles and Red Sox. It may be the best MLB scramble ever.

Meanwhile, I’m keeping my hockey thoughts on Leaf Nation, hoping a major rebuild isn’t about to occur.