Kyle Dubas steals the Maple Leafs' secret front office weapon
The Pittsburgh Penguins' President and ex-GM of the Toronto Maple Leafs Kyle Dubas stole the secret front office weapon of his former team!
In breaking news, the Pittsburgh Penguins shared a press release in which we learned that they've hired Wes Clark as Vice President of Player Personnel.
Clark worked with the Maple Leafs for the past six years, including a few seasons with Dubas.
Here's the organization's official statement:
"The Pittsburgh Penguins have named Wes Clark Vice President of Player Personnel, it was announced today by President of Hockey Operations and General Manager Kyle Dubas.
Clark will oversee the club's amateur, professional and college/European free agent scouting departments and will report directly to Dubas.
«Starting last fall with the addition of Trent Mann as a player development and scouting advisor and the elevation of Andy Saucier to lead our pro scouting department, we have sought to really bolster our player personnel system. Our personnel decisions in this short term will be critical as we seek to add the draft picks, prospects and young players that will serve to add an infusion of young, hungry players to our core,» said Dubas. «By adding Wes to lead the departments directed by Nick Pryor and Andy, along with the valuable experience and wisdom that Trent provides, we have tried to put the Penguins in a strong position to go out and execute on our personnel strategy in the short and long run. Having worked with Wes for many years, I have a deep trust in his ability to identify talent, lead staffs, advance our scouting process and methods, learn from mistakes to improve processes and to challenge my own thinking and planning on a near daily basis.»
Clark, 41, has spent the last six seasons in the Toronto Maple Leafs organization, holding various roles with the team. Clark has run the NHL Draft for the Toronto as the Director of Player Personnel (2023-24) and Director of Amateur Scouting (2021-23). He has also served as the Assistant Director of Player Personnel (2018-23) and as a Player Evaluation Consultant (2014-16).
Prior to his time in Toronto, the Oakville, Ontario native spent two seasons with the Florida Panthers as an Amateur Scout from 2016-18. He also was the Director of Player Personnel and Development with the Soo Greyhounds of the Ontario Hockey League from 2011-15.
Clark is a graduate of the University of Maine, where he played four seasons of collegiate hockey from 2004-08."
Dubas already brought with him a lot of people from Toronto, including players and management people. Do you think he'll continue to poach Brad Treliving's staff in the coming seasons?
More to come.
POLL |
JUILLET 9 | 418 ANSWERS Kyle Dubas steals the Maple Leafs' secret front office weapon Do you think Kyle Dubas made the right decision to steal the Toronto Maple Leafs secret front office weapon? |
Yes | 244 | 58.4 % |
No | 174 | 41.6 % |
List of polls |
|
8 hours ago | By Chris Gerics Mitch Marner and John Tavares Heavily Linked to Stanley Cup Contender in Free Agency, per Pierre LeBrun |
|
10 hours ago | By Jack Sutherland Elliotte Friedman Provides Insight on Auston Matthews' Injury and What's Next for the Leafs Captain |
|
12 hours ago | By Jack Sutherland Easton Cowan Recreates Patrick Kane's Overtime Stanley Cup-Winning Goal |
|
13 hours ago | By Chris Gerics Maple Leafs Dodge a Disaster as Former Trade Target Struggles Massively After Deadline Deal |
|
13 hours ago | By Chris Gerics Craig Berube Explains Decision to Demote Scott Laughton to Fourth Line |
|
15 hours ago | By Chris Gerics Encouraging Sign for Maple Leafs at Practice as Team Prepares for Major Boost |
|
15 hours ago | By Chris Gerics Craig Berube Shocks Fans with Drastic Lineup Changes Ahead of Flames Clash |
|
16 hours ago | By Chris Gerics Maple Leafs Urged to Capitalize on Key Opportunity for a Major Playoff Advantage |
Previously on HockeyPatrol