NHL News: Penguins GM Kyle Dubas reveals trade he regrets most from Maple Leafs tenure

The Pittsburgh Penguins’ rebuild is underway, but GM Kyle Dubas recently reflected on a trade from his Toronto Maple Leafs tenure that continues to linger in his mind. Speaking on the Cam and Strick Podcast, Dubas revealed that letting go of Mason Marchment remains his biggest regret as Toronto’s general manager.

While Dubas is now focused on shaping a new core in Pittsburgh — potentially including the 2026 #1 overall pick Gavin McKenna — he admitted that some of his past decisions still weigh heavily. The Marchment deal, in particular, is one he wishes he could undo.

“I have lots of regrets I could name, there’s a ton. But the biggest one though actually, is Mason Marchment. Mason was so good, so competitive, he came up through our system, so that’s the one that really hits above all others,” Dubas said on the podcast.

Why did the Marchment trade haunt Dubas?

The controversial deal saw Toronto send Mason Marchment to the Dallas Stars in exchange for Denis Malgin. At the time, the trade was puzzling to many fans, but Marchment has since developed into a reliable top-nine forward, showcasing his two-way game and consistent scoring ability.

Mason Marchment #36 with the Toronto Maple Leafs skates against the Edmonton Oilers during an NHL game at Scotiabank Arena on January 6, 2020 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Claus Andersen/Getty Images)

In 62 games with Dallas last season, Marchment recorded 47 points (25 goals, 22 assists) and posted a +15 rating. Over the past three seasons, he has amassed 131 points, highlighting the long-term impact of the trade on Toronto’s offensive depth.

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How Toronto has struggled to replace Marchment

Since Marchment’s departure, the Maple Leafs have faced challenges finding a forward of his caliber. Malgin, by contrast, is no longer in the league, leaving Toronto’s management and fan base to wonder what might have been if Marchment had remained in the organization.

Dubas acknowledged that while he made many calculated moves during his Toronto tenure — some successful, some not — losing Marchment is the one that continues to sting, even five years later.

Moving forward: Lessons learned for the Penguins

Dubas has largely put past regrets behind him, but the experience serves as a lesson for Pittsburgh. Building around young talent and making calculated trades will be key as he navigates the team’s rebuild. While hindsight may highlight the “what ifs,” Dubas is focused on making the right decisions for the Penguins’ future.