Kyle Dubas Reflects on Trade Regrets
During a recent appearance on the Spittin’ Chiclets podcast, Kyle Dubas, the current president of hockey operations and general manager for the Pittsburgh Penguins, took a moment to reflect on his tenure with the Toronto Maple Leafs and revealed the trade he laments the most. This exchange involved the departure of Mason Marchment to the Florida Panthers, which took place on February 19, 2020, in exchange for Denis Malgin.
Dubas’ Regret Over Marchment Trade
“To me, the one that I regret most is — I’ve said this before openly — Mason Marchment. We traded Mason to Florida… He had come up with us the whole way… He was in Orlando in the ECHL for most of the first year. He didn’t play for three months, just working with the development team, and that was my responsibility then.”
Dubas recounted Marchment’s journey from being signed to a minor-league deal after an overage season in junior hockey to becoming a critical player for the Maple Leafs’ AHL affiliate, ultimately contributing to their Calder Cup victory in 2018.
He elaborated that the trade occurred at a time when the team was in need of a different skill set.
“We had some guys out of the lineup, and it was a younger, skill guy that came in (Malgin).”
However, he has since realized the value Marchment could have brought to the Maple Leafs’ roster, citing his competitiveness and ability to both score and play physically.
Marchment’s Rise in the NHL
Since that trade, Marchment has developed into a prominent player in the NHL. After a quieter debut season in Florida, where he notched just 10 points in 33 games, he surged in performance, amassing 18 goals and 47 points over the 2021-22 season. Marchment’s career took another turn when he signed a lucrative four-year contract worth $18 million with the Dallas Stars in July 2022. His time with the Stars included a trade to the Seattle Kraken, followed by a mid-season move to the Columbus Blue Jackets, where he regained his momentum by scoring 15 goals and recording 32 points in just 39 games.
Malgin’s Brief Stint and Success Abroad
In contrast, Denis Malgin, the player acquired by the Maple Leafs in the trade, had a brief stint in Toronto, appearing in only eight games before returning to Switzerland after the season. He later experienced success in the Swiss League, producing over a point per game in 93 matches, before attempting another return to the NHL in the 2022-23 season.
Conclusion
Dubas’ reflections offer a glimpse into the challenges faced by general managers in making pivotal decisions and the lasting impact such trades can have on both the players involved and the teams they leave behind. As Marchment heads toward unrestricted free agency this summer, the trade continues to be a point of contention for Dubas, highlighting the complexities of building a successful hockey team amid the pressures of performance and player development.
Maple Leafs Roster Moves
In unrelated developments, the Maple Leafs are dealing with their own roster moves as they prepare for the upcoming playoffs, including sending players like Easton Cowan and others to their AHL affiliate, the Marlies, for additional playoff support.
