The Toronto Maple Leafs hired Derek Clancey as Assistant GM on July 18th. Rachel Doerrie worked with him. Here's what to expect.
We don't see lateral moves very often in the NHL and certainly not at the executive level. That happened on Tuesday when the Leafs announced Derek Clancey joined their front office in the same capacity he worked in for the Vancouver Canucks.
Clancey was Jim Rutherford's first hire. I met him during January scouting meetings in 2022. My initial impression holds true - he is a brilliant blend of old school scouting experience and new school analytical thinking. He takes a logical approach to every situation and does not sugar coat anything. What you see is what you get.
I listened to him speak on numerous occasions and had in-depth conversations over meals. His approach represents something that is lacking in hockey as a whole. He has high standards that he holds himself and everyone accountable to, but he understands the human element of things. There is a time for empathy and compassion, and there is a time for harsh words. He seemed to understand the timing really well, something that will serve him well in the Toronto front office.
Clancey brings a sharp scouting mind to Toronto. Most scouts have 100K Super Elite status with airlines, but Clancey is on a first name basis with some of the airport folks. He's on the road, going to NHL, European and Junior games all the time. He is the textbook definition of "boots on the ground."
That serves him well in scouting meetings. He is able to offer balanced opinions on players from across the globe, be it junior or professional level. He consistently makes space for everyone to be heard, while keeping the meeting on track. Scouting meetings can get off the rails. I've sat in meetings where scouts argued what amounted to be a 4th round player for 45 minutes. Things can go off the rails easily. When Clancey is around, rest assured that there will be space for disagreement and debate, but the conversation will be productive and on track.
One of the biggest things that will serve him well in Toronto is his ability to ask poignant questions. If someone is going to take a stand, he will ask pointed questions to ensure the argument isn't flimsy and will give the person the opportunity to convince him of their idea. His open-mindedness makes him quite approachable and not as intimidating as other hockey executives. Toronto was known for being innovative and open to ideas under Kyle Dubas. Bringing Clancey in tells me that Brad Treliving is keen to keep that train moving with some guardrails.
A Director of Player Personnel is a pretty specific title and one that involves overseeing scouting at the amateur and professional levels. The Leafs have Wes Clark and should they retain him, it is likely he and Clancey will work in lock step to guide Toronto's draft strategy. Clancey is likely to be overseeing the professional scouting ranks, participating in trade deadline meetings and free agency. His established relationship with Treliving will make him a go-to resource and a key person on the staff.
While Clancey relies on his scouting acumen, it will be interesting to see how he utilizes the robust research & development department in Toronto. Vancouver has four people, none of which are full-time developers or engineers. By my count, Toronto has 13 people conducting some level of research in hockey operations, with two full-time developers. They are overseen by Darryl Metcalf, one of the original hockey analytics pioneers. Clancey is keen to learn new things, improve his evaluations and find competitive advantages. His experience weighs heavily on his decisions, but I expect he will take advantage of the resources in Toronto.
The Newfoundland man left the Canadian West Coast for the concrete jungle that is Toronto. At a minimum, he brings a wealth of knowledge, emotional intelligence and open-mindedness. If he continues to be keen on using all the tools available, he will surely get more questions answered and have more research to lean on when he makes his recommendations. Clancey is an example of an old-school hockey mind who understands the need for evolution and innovation, and practices it well.