Leafs' Dubas prepared for first major test as GM New Toronto Maple Leafs general manager Kyle Dubas enters the NHL entry draft this weekend facing the first major test of his reign since being promoted last month – without former GM Lou Lamoriello and former director of player personnel Mark Hunter at his side, but he still has ‘a lot of very good people involved,’ TSN Maple Leafs Reporter Kristen Shilton reports from Dallas.

Kristen Shilton TSN Toronto Maple Leafs Reporter Follow|Archive

DALLAS – Toronto Maple Leafs general manager Kyle Dubas is in familiar territory at this year’s NHL Entry Draft. And, at the same time, charting entirely new waters.

It’s not Dubas’ first draft with the Leafs – in fact it’s his fourth – but it is the first time the 31-year-old has been solely stationed at the head of the table, responsible for Toronto’s success or failure on the draft floor this weekend. Dubas was an assistant general manager at his inaugural draft back in 2015, before former general manager Lou Lamoriello was hired, just one part of the decision-making process in a three-man unit with Leafs’ president Brendan Shanahan and former director of player personnel Mark Hunter. Not anymore.

Facing the first major test of his reign since being promoted on May 10, this draft is Dubas’ moment. The Leafs hold the 25th overall pick Friday night.

“It’s an honour, I suppose,” Dubas said on Thursday after exiting the NHL’s general managers’ annual pre-draft meeting. “You look around and you see some of the best managers and personnel people in the history of the game, so it’s humbling. And you realize in my position, you still have a lot to learn and a lot to work towards.”

Dubas’ assent from wunderkind general manager of the OHL’s Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds to taking over the Leafs’ general manager job at their most successful juncture in decades has been well-dissected in the days and weeks since Shanahan made his decision last month. As is usually the case, there were casualties along the way – first it was Lamoriello, not content to transition into a senior advisor role and now GM of the New York Islanders, then Hunter, not content to stay in Toronto after being passed over for Dubas and released from his obligations a month before the draft.

So, while the playing field is nothing new, this draft will be the first time since Shanahan and Dubas joined forces in July 2014 that they’ll be going into the fray without Hunter. He was the Leafs’ eyes and ears on every potential prospect, and arguably no one’s input would have been relied upon more when it came to draft day decisions. But Dubas has been unwavering in his determination to “stay the course” and continuing building on the philosophies Toronto has painstakingly put in place.

“We’ve relied heavily on our area directors of scouting and we’ve got a lot of very good people involved, whether it’s [director of hockey and scouting operations] Reid Mitchell, [assistant general manager] Brandon Pridham and now [assistant general manager] Laurence Gilman. It’s been a really smooth process. They’ve worked really hard at it the past month which has been a relief for me. The way they’ve handled it has made my life quite easy.”

Dubas could use the help. Barely removed from his post as general manager of the Leafs’ American Hockey League affiliate Toronto Marlies, Dubas had been revelling in their Calder Cup championship until mere days before the draft is set to begin. Juggling the Marlies’ run with his Leafs’ duties, Dubas has come out the other side with some work already done – and plenty left to accomplish.

On Wednesday, Toronto announced extensions had been negotiated for defenceman Connor Carrick (one-year, $1.3 million) and goaltender Calvin Pickard (one-year, $800,000), with five RFAs remaining to be qualified or not by Monday’s deadline.

One outstanding contract in particular –winger William Nylander – feels especially pressing. Unlike the other pending RFAs – defencemen Justin Holl and Martin Marincin, centre Frederik Gauthier and winger Andreas Johnsson – Nylander had played a key role for the Leafs in the last two seasons, appearing in all but one game over that stretch.

Sorting all of that out is Dubas’ domain now. And with the Leafs’ development camp looming next week as well, plus the opening of free agency on July 1, Dubas was cognizant when the Marlies’ season finally ended that his plate would remain abundantly full.

“I’m going to meet here with [Nylander’s agent] Louis Gross in the coming days,” said Dubas. “We’ve got lots of time and patience to work with that. There is no real end date for that in my mind, we’ll just keep working towards it. William is an important part of what we do here. I think by and large we’re going to work towards [signing all our RFAs]. I think there’s a few that we won’t, but…we’re working on others.”

One player Dubas won’t have to worry about now, though, is Miro Aaltonen, who will be going back to the KHL after one season with the Marlies. Dubas said Aaltonen’s decision stemmed from the chance to be featured prominently on a scoring line overseas, and acknowledged it does impact the Leafs’ depth down the middle going forward.

That’s where the free-agent market will come into play for the Leafs. After years of waiting in the wings behind Lamoriello, Dubas now has the unique pleasure of fielding questions about the rumour mill surrounding potential free-agent centre John Tavares. Thus far, Lamoriello hasn’t persuaded the Islanders’ captain to sign an extension (but bringing on Barry Trotz as head coach Thursday could help his cause) and Tavares can begin speaking with other teams on June 24.

TSN Hockey Insider Bob McKenzie reported this week the Leafs had prepared a promotional video to woo Tavares towards his hometown team, and with the salary cap going up to $79.5 million next season, Toronto could conceivably make room for a big-name like Tavares. But Dubas didn’t confirm any such details on Thursday.

“We’ll see who is available at that time [to talk to on the 24th] and we’ll chart our resources there in terms of what we’re going to do,” he said. “[Our staff] has been very well prepared for free agency so we feel very, very good heading into that. You’re always trying to keep abreast of who’s signing, who isn’t, just keep an eye on it and be ready for anything come Sunday night.”

True to what he preaches on contract talks, Dubas calls for patience in almost everything – except his own development. That process has been in full swing since the day Shanahan brought him on board, and will continue in earnest at the draft.

“For me, I look at it as a great learning experience, as well as an ability to represent our club,” Dubas said. “So really thankful and honoured, frankly [to be here].”​