For Maple Leafs fans, frustration has become a familiar companion. As the team continues to struggle, many are pointing fingers at a familiar target: former General Manager Kyle Dubas. Though he departed in 2023, his decisions continue to cast a long shadow over the team's present woes.

Dubas' tenure was marked by a distinct philosophy: bet on skill, prioritize youth, and build around a core of highly talented forwards. He committed significant resources to Auston Matthews, Mitch Marner, William Nylander, and Morgan Rielly, locking them into long-term, lucrative contracts. At the time, these moves were largely applauded, seen as securing the future of the franchise. However, with the benefit of hindsight, some observers now view these decisions as overly optimistic and ultimately detrimental.

The primary criticism leveled against Dubas is his perceived over-reliance on potential. He gambled that the young core would mature into a dominant force capable of leading the team to playoff success. Despite regular season success, the Maple Leafs consistently fell short in the playoffs, failing to advance beyond the first round during Dubas' tenure. This lack of postseason success has led many fans to question whether the core is capable of delivering when it matters most.

The long-term contracts handed out by Dubas have also limited the team's financial flexibility. With a significant portion of the salary cap tied up in a few players, subsequent GMs have found it challenging to address other roster needs, such as bolstering the defense or adding depth. This has created a situation where the team is heavily reliant on its star players, with limited options to make significant changes.

The narrative surrounding the Maple Leafs' coaching changes also circles back to Dubas. After Sheldon Keefe failed to deliver a Stanley Cup, Craig Berube was hired; however, fans are beginning to recognize a familiar pattern of coaching turnover without improvement in results. The recent firing of assistant coach Marc Savard is viewed by some as a scapegoat move, further fueling the perception that the core issues remain unaddressed.

Despite Dubas' departure, his impact is still felt in Toronto. Current GM Brad Treliving inherited a team with a salary structure and core players largely defined by his predecessor. Treliving's attempts to reshape the roster have been met with mixed results, and the team continues to grapple with the same fundamental issues that plagued them under Dubas. Some observers suggest that Treliving's job may be in jeopardy if the Maple Leafs fail to make the playoffs or show significant improvement.

While holding Dubas solely responsible for the Maple Leafs' current situation might be an oversimplification, his decisions undoubtedly played a significant role in shaping the team's trajectory. Whether the current core can overcome its playoff demons remains to be seen, but for many fans, the ghost of Kyle Dubas continues to haunt the Leafs' faithful.