Kyle Dubas intends to stay, and learn, with Maple Leafs

With rumors of interest elsewhere, Toronto Maple Leafs upstart executive Kyle Dubas dispelled belief he's ready to take on a lead role with another organization.

"I don't believe I'm ready to be an NHL general manager," Dubas said, according to Kevin McGran of the Toronto Star.

"I believe I have a lot to learn, and I believe that Toronto is the best place for me to (do that). With everything that is going on here now, this is not a place that I want to leave, and I don't believe that I'm ready to leave."

Dubas, thought to be the Maple Leafs' general manager in waiting, was one of the first minds brought into the organization after Brendan Shanahan was hired as president. Working with Shanahan and, perhaps more importantly, a GM with decades of experience in Lou Lamoriello, the 29-year-old has lent his progressive approach to the process of flipping a flawed NHL roster, and building up a powerhouse farm system led by the AHL's Toronto Marlies.