Dubas Adds Negotiator, Hires Mpofu

Pittsburgh Penguins president of hockey operations Kyle Dubas has hired what appears to be a specialist negotiator. On Monday, he named Vukie Mpofu as director of hockey operations and legal affairs.

According to a team news release, Mpofu will advise and assist with player contract negotiations, collective bargaining agreement and salary cap compliance, as well as working with the team research and development department.

If you are a Pittsburgh Steelers fan, think Omar Kahn in the years before he took over there as general manager.

“We are very excited to have Vukie Mpofu join the Penguins management team today,” Dubas said in a statement. “In the process of completing this hire, Vukie came highly recommended from everyone he has interacted with in the game, and he was most impressive throughout. He has great potential, and we look forward to welcoming him to Pittsburgh.”

Mpofu, 27, graduated from the UCLA law school. He was a legal affairs intern with the Vegas Golden Knights in 2020-21, then spent the past two seasons with the Los Angeles Kings, where he was their manager of hockey operations. With the Kings, he helped with player contract negotiations, salary cap and collective bargaining issues, and managed the analytics staff. He also assisted with employment contracts for the Kings and their top farm affiliate.

The native of Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, played junior hockey with the Red Deer Rebels.