Kyle Dubas out as Maple Leafs GM following early playoff exit | CBC Sports

Kyle Dubas is out as general manager of the Toronto Maple Leafs.

The team said Friday it is “parting ways” with the 37-year-old executive, whose contract was scheduled to expire June 30.

The Leafs won a playoff series for the first time in nearly two decades this spring when they defeated the Tampa Bay Lightning before bowing out to the underdog Florida Panthers in a disappointing second-round showing.

An emotional Dubas said at his end-of-season press conference he wasn’t sure if he would continue on as GM, citing the stress on his young family.

“I would like to thank Kyle for his unwavering dedication over these last nine seasons with the organization, including his last five as general manager,” Leafs president Brendan Shanahan said in a statement Friday. “Kyle fostered a great culture within our dressing room and staff, and consistently pushed to make our team better season over season.”

WATCH | Maple Leafs eliminated by Panthers in Game 5:

Cousins Game 5 overtime winner gives Panthers series win over Maple Leafs

Nick Cousins scored in the first overtime to give Florida a 3-2 win in game four over Toronto, eliminating the Maple Leafs 4-1 in the series.

Dubas joined the Leafs in 2014 as an assistant GM at age 28 in 2014 and managed the American Hockey League’s Toronto Marlies to a Calder Cup title in 2017-18.

He took over as Toronto general manager from Lou Lamoriello in May 2018 as part of a succession plan under Shanahan’s direction.