Report: Kyle Dubas Being Investigated For Improper Relationship With Agent

If former Toronto Maple Leafs GM Kyle Dubas really wanted to get away from the pressure-cooker life he'd been living, as he mentioned at his end of season presser, he's certainly going about it in a strange way. 

Currently top of the rumor mill as the front-runner for the Pittsburgh Penguins' GM job, Dubas is now being investigated by the NHL Player's Association for a possible improper agent relationship. 

According to Frank Seravalli of Daily Faceoff, Dubas is being scrutinized for a possible violation of the Certified Agent regulations that govern agent activity. 

NHLPA reviewing Kyle Dubas’ relationship with agent for potential conflict of interest https://t.co/ig98Ewrrpu

— Daily Faceoff (@DailyFaceoff) May 25, 2023

Those regulations, reports Seravalli, prohibit agents from representing an officer or employee of an NHL club. Dubas was represented in recent negotiations with the Leafs by Chris Armstrong of Wasserman Sports — normally a golf agent, but working within the same agency that also represents plenty of NHL players, including the Leafs' Auston Matthews.

“This is clearly prohibited under the regulations,” one long-time agent told Seravalli. “It is an unwritten, understood and longstanding practice that your guy down the hall doesn’t work for the other side. I’d like the NHLPA to launch an investigation and draw their own conclusion.”

It seems they will be doing just that. 

The big question is does the rule apply only to certified NHL player agents (of which Armstrong is not), or to the entirety of their agency?

The Wasserman agency represents one out of every 10 NHL players, including some of the biggest names in hockey, including Connor McDavid, Matthews, Roman Josi and Zach Werenski.

Photo: Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports