Penguins GM Kyle Dubas poaches the Maple Leafs' front office

The Pittsburgh Penguins are currently run by general manager Kyle Dubas, who previously served in the same role with the Toronto Maple Leafs for several years before being unceremoniously terminated last year. It wouldn't be long before he resurfaced in the Steel City, and he's now presiding over a club that has missed the playoffs two straight years, something that has never occurred in the Hall of Fame career of Sidney Crosby. 

Earlier today, Dubas secured the services of a key member of the Maple Leafs brain trust, hiring Wes Clark as Pittsburgh's new Vice President of player personnel. He'd previously worked with Toronto for six years as director of player personnel, while also filling the role of director amateur scouting from 2021 to 2023.

Additionally, Clark worked with Dubas while with the OHL's Soo Greyhounds from 2011-15 as director of player personnel and development.

“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.”

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