Toronto Maple Leafs add to front office, including scouting staff

By Liam Tremblay — 29 July 2026 — 3 min read

Maple Leafs Bolster Scouting Department

The Toronto Maple Leafs have made several additions to their front office, notably strengthening their amateur scouting department. Dan Palango has been appointed as the Director of Amateur Scouting, and J.P. Perpich will head the newly established U.S. Amateur Scouting department. These appointments follow the earlier arrival of Judd Brackett, who joined the Maple Leafs last month as an assistant general manager, overseeing player evaluation.

Palango’s move to Toronto marks a significant step in his career, as he transitions from his role as an amateur scout with the Minnesota Wild. He had been with the Wild since the 2020-21 season, following a decade of experience as an amateur scout for the Vancouver Canucks. Palango is stepping into the position previously held by Mark Leach, who concluded his tenure after the June draft, prior to Brackett’s arrival. This change is part of broader organizational adjustments initiated under General Manager John Chayka.

Perpich also brings experience from the Wild, where he served as a scout. His career path to the NHL was distinctive; before joining the Wild in 2021, Perpich practiced law and worked in commercial real estate in Minnesota. During that time, he also scouted for the WHL’s Red Deer Rebels. Brackett recruited Perpich to Minnesota’s scouting staff in 2021, and now Perpich will lead the U.S. amateur scouting efforts for Toronto.

New Appointments and Reunited Colleagues

The recent hires reunite Brackett with two scouts he previously brought to Minnesota after joining the Wild in 2020. Palango spent over 10 years with the Canucks from 2009 to 2020 before joining Brackett at the Wild. During his six seasons in Minnesota, Palango played a crucial role in the organization’s amateur scouting initiatives, and his new role with the Maple Leafs represents a promotion to Director of Amateur Scouting.

These personnel changes are seen as a continuation of Brackett’s influence on Toronto’s front office, as he begins to reshape the Maple Leafs’ amateur scouting department. The Wild’s draft classes during Brackett’s tenure were consistently recognized among the NHL’s best, producing prospects such as Liam Öhgren, Danila Yurov, Marco Rossi, Jesper Wallstedt, Zeev Buium, Ryder Ritchie, and Aron Kiviharju. These prospects contributed to establishing one of hockey’s deepest prospect pools. The Maple Leafs are now banking on this scouting philosophy to help replenish their own prospect pipeline.

While losing experienced scouts presents a challenge for Minnesota, it also highlights the reputation Brackett built during his time there. The departures of Palango and Perpich create vacancies within the Wild’s amateur scouting department, offering General Manager Bill Guerin and the Wild an opportunity to restructure parts of their staff following Brackett’s exit.

Further Front Office Changes

Beyond the scouting department, two additional appointments were announced for the hockey office. Brad Rossen has been named Vice-President of Research and Development, and Perpich’s role as head of U.S. Amateur Scouting is part of a newly titled department. Chayka, known for his data-driven approach, previously worked with Rossen as an analytics expert when Chayka was with the Arizona Coyotes and also during a brief period at Chayka’s Stathletes company. Rossen most recently worked in the player agent field with Creative Artists Agency.

The work of amateur scouts, though often behind the scenes, can have a lasting impact on an organization’s future. With Brackett, Palango, and Perpich now together in Toronto, the Maple Leafs are aiming to replicate the success seen in Minnesota’s prospect development.

In other team news, skating consultant Paul Matheson announced his departure from the Maple Leafs via social media this week.

Source: torontosun.com