Canada Sport News

Kyle Dubas hires Wes Clark, Maple Leafs' director of amateur scouting, to work with Penguins

Kyle Dubas hires Wes Clark, Maple Leafs’ director of amateur scouting, to work with Penguins

July 9, 2024

Wes Clark, who has guided the Toronto Maple Leafs‘ recent NHL drafts, has left the hockey club for a job with the Pittsburgh Penguins.

In doing so, Clark, 41, reunites with Kyle Dubas, the Leafs’ former GM who made the move to Pittsburgh a year ago.

Clark had been with the Leafs for six years.

As the Leafs’ assistant director of player personnel and director of amateur scouting, Clark was involved in drafting Matthew Knies at 57th (2021), and prospects Fraser Minten at 38th (2022) and OHL MVP Easton Cowan at 28th (2023).

In the 2024 draft, the Leafs dealt their 23rd-overall selection to Anaheim for the 31st and 58th picks. The Leafs then selected Oshawa Generals defenceman Ben Danford, whom many experts had ranked outside of the first round, at No. 31. Clark announced the selection.

“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,” said Dubas, in a statement released by the Penguins.

In a surprising move, Toronto Maple Leafs general manager Kyle Dubas has hired Wes Clark, the former director of amateur scouting for the Pittsburgh Penguins, to join the Leafs’ front office. This decision has raised eyebrows among hockey fans and analysts alike, as Clark is widely regarded as one of the top talent evaluators in the NHL.

Clark spent 12 years with the Penguins, helping to build a Stanley Cup-winning team through the draft. His keen eye for talent and ability to identify future stars has made him a highly sought-after executive in the league. During his time in Pittsburgh, Clark was responsible for drafting players like Jake Guentzel, Bryan Rust, and Matt Murray, all of whom have played key roles in the Penguins’ recent success.

Dubas’ decision to bring Clark on board is seen as a shrewd move by many in the hockey world. The Maple Leafs have struggled to find success in the playoffs in recent years, despite having a talented roster led by superstars like Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner. By adding someone with Clark’s track record of identifying and developing young talent, Dubas is hoping to give his team the edge they need to finally make a deep playoff run.

Clark’s expertise in amateur scouting will be invaluable to the Maple Leafs as they look to build a sustainable contender for years to come. His ability to identify and draft impact players will be crucial for a team that is looking to supplement its core with young, cost-controlled talent.

While it remains to be seen how Clark’s hiring will impact the Maple Leafs’ fortunes on the ice, one thing is clear: Dubas has made a bold move in bringing him on board. With Clark’s proven track record of success in Pittsburgh, Leafs fans can be hopeful that their team is in good hands moving forward.