Several days after the Toronto Maple Leafs fired him, former general manager Kyle Dubas broke his silence Tuesday, saying he wouldn't address the details of his exit from the franchise.
"While I understand there is interest surrounding the circumstances of my departure, I will not get into the specifics of what I consider to be reasonable and consistent but private discussions," Dubas wrote in a statement on behalf of his family. "In the days that I felt I needed to assess and evaluate my own view to the future, both with respect to the necessary direction of the club and ensuring that I had the full support of my family for what I knew would be required in the offseason and years to follow, the organization, as is their right to do, decided to go in a different direction."
He added: "It was an honor to be able to work in such an inspiring place with dedicated, loyal people and an extremely passionate fan base. The impact of that and the relationships with all of the people at MLSE, from the board of directors through to the ushers at Scotiabank Arena, will forever hold a dear place in our hearts. ...
"We will roll from here," the statement concluded.
The Maple Leafs parted ways with Dubas on Friday following five seasons as the team's general manager. His contract expires June 30.
The Pittsburgh Penguins reportedly already received permission to speak with Dubas regarding their open front-office positions.
In a candid press conference Friday, Maple Leafs team president Brendan Shanahan outlined contract negotiations with Dubas dating back to last summer. Shanahan said the club had decided to bring the GM back and was nearing the completion of an extension prior to Dubas' end-of-season media availability Monday.
"While watching Kyle's (press conference), there was a dramatic shift in my thinking," Shanahan said. "Because Kyle might not want to be GM, and I have to take that very seriously."
Before Dubas was fired, he spoke openly about his undetermined future and unwillingness to move elsewhere.
"I definitely don't have it in me to go anywhere else," he said. "It'll either be here (with the Leafs) or it'll be taking time to recalibrate and reflect on the seasons here. You won't see me next week pop up elsewhere; I can't put (my family) through that after this year."
The Maple Leafs set franchise records for single-season wins and points with Dubas at the helm but failed to break through in the postseason. Toronto won its first playoff series since 2004 in May against the Tampa Bay Lightning only to be brushed aside in five games by the Florida Panthers in the second round.
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