Leafs GM Kyle Dubas confirms that he took calls and explored moving a core piece this summer

The Toronto Maple Leafs have a lot to prove in 2021-22 after yet another disappointing first-round exit in 2020-21, after famously blowing a 3-1 series lead to the Montreal Canadiens.

Following the heartbreaking loss, Leafs Nation had been begging Leafs GM Kyle Dubas to break up the "core four" and move out one of their large contracts in an attempt to better balance the roster. What we now know is that the Leafs elected to stand pat this offseason and, once again, chose to tinker around the edges instead. However, according to Dubas, the club did consider moving one of its core piece out this summer.

While making a guest appearance on The Bob McCown Podcast, Dubas explained that, while the Leafs did explore some major changes this offseason, nothing really emerged that would have provided the Leafs with a tangible upgrade at any position, which was one of the determining factors in bringing the core back for another run at it.

"None of those opportunities that came along in the summer were going to tangibly improve our team," Dubas said on the podcast.

"They would have made us different, but they wouldn't have necessarily made us better."

This is not the first time that Dubas has stated that he will always look for ways to improve the team, but this is the first time that he has openly stated that he would consider moving one of the team's top players in order to make it happen.

"We looked at everything," Dubas said. "I know that there is a feeling that the core group is protected, and we have a strong belief in them. But I think we would look at anything that would improve our team overall, regardless."

With the offseason winding down and the team gearing up for training camp, followed by preseason action, Dubas went on to state that he will leave the door open for a potential major move at some point during the season, if the move would result in the team getting better.

"I'm excited for (the players) to pick themselves back up and get back at it in a few weeks and get into the season," Dubas said. "And if things come up along the way that can improve our team, that's the job. And we'll be aggressive in trying to do that.

"But at this moment, none of those things have come across where I felt our team would be better. It might have satisfied the masses and the team might have looked different. But there was nothing that came across, from the day that we ended the season against Montreal 'til today, where I felt that we would have been absolutely better."

The Leafs will open the preseason at home against the Montreal Canadiens on September 25th.

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