The Toronto Maple Leafs announced on July 29, 2026, the hiring of three key personnel to their hockey operations department, continuing general manager John Chayka's overhaul of the team's scouting and analytics infrastructure.
Dan Palango was named Director of Amateur Scouting, Brad Rossen as Vice President of Research and Development, and JP Perpich as Director of U.
S. Amateur Scouting, according to reports from multiple news outlets.
Palango brings 17 years of NHL scouting experience, most recently with the Minnesota Wild and previously 11 seasons with the Vancouver Canucks.
He replaces Mark Leach and reunites with Judd Brackett, Toronto's assistant general manager, whom he worked alongside in both Vancouver and Minnesota.
"He's a key part of our rebuilding process," said one source about Palango's role overseeing the Maple Leafs' draft board and prospect pipeline.
Perpich spent the last five years with the Minnesota Wild, including four as an amateur scout, and will lead scouting efforts across U.
S. amateur leagues such as the NCAA and USHL.
"I am excited to bring my experience scouting in the U. S.
to help build the Maple Leafs' future talent pool," Perpich said.
His path to the NHL was unconventional, having practiced law and worked in commercial real estate in Minnesota while scouting for the WHL's Red Deer Rebels before joining the Wild in 2021.
Brad Rossen returns to work with Chayka after previously serving as director of analytics for the Arizona Coyotes and working as a player agent since 2025.
He is expected to bring an analytics-driven approach to talent evaluation in his new role.
"I look forward to applying data-driven methods to identify undervalued players and support the Maple Leafs' strategic goals," Rossen stated.
These additions follow a significant front-office transformation initiated by Chayka, which included the departure of several key personnel such as former assistant GM Hayley Wickenheiser and scouting director Mark Leach.
The recent hires, particularly Palango, Perpich, and Brackett, all have ties to the Minnesota Wild, indicating a scouting department built around trusted collaborators as Toronto aims to reset its approach to player evaluation and drafting.
According to reports, these staffing changes reflect the Maple Leafs' commitment to enhancing their scouting and analytics operations ahead of the upcoming NHL season.
