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Kyle Dubas on new Maple Leafs gig, analytics changing NHL and Nick Cousins (Interview)

Dubas via www.veooz.com
Dubas via www.veooz.com

Kyle Dubas is being seen as a game-changing hire for the Toronto Maple Leafs.

The Original Six team brings on an assistant general manager that’s 28 years old, didn’t take the traditional path to the job (i.e. wasn’t an example of cronyism) and fully embraced the use of advanced analytics while the GM of the Soo Greyhounds of the OHL.

But perhaps most importantly, he attended the Marek Vs. Wyshynski NHL Draft Party at Foley’s in New York City last summer. Which we assume is what got him this sweet new gig with the Leafs.

Dubas joined us on MvsW on Monday to talk about his new gig, his player personnel philosophy, the criticisms of his hiring, the good and bad in hockey analytics, the infamous Nick Cousins case in the Soo (one relevant today, considering the Ray Rice suspension) and a few other topics.

Take a listen here:

I offered my admittedly glowing take on the Dubas hiring here, while others like Yahoo Sports’ own Sunaya Sapurji were a bit more skeptical about his time in the Soo.

I was surprised by the reaction to the Cousins question on social media during the show, as I hadn’t realized that it wasn’t something Dubas was asked about during his media tour. I think it surprised Dubas too, but he handled the question well and, at the very least, one got a sense of how torturous it was to make a call on his players facing sexual assault allegations.

The full podcast is available here or on iTunes.