Toronto are set to speak with Minnesota Wild director of amateur scouting Judd Brackett about an assistant general manager role, a move that comes as the Maple Leafs rebuild their front office and prepare for major summer decisions.
The Toronto Maple Leafs’ off-season of turnover has not slowed down — and now, their next step is taking shape behind the scenes.
Toronto are among the teams permitted by Minnesota to speak with Judd Brackett, the Wild’s director of amateur scouting, with the discussions tied to an assistant general manager position with the Maple Leafs.
The timing comes with a clear backdrop. Michael Russo had reported that Brackett is leaving the Wild for “an elevated position for another team.” Brackett is a veteran scout who ran Minnesota’s last five drafts, and he is also on an expiring contract.
If Brackett signs with Toronto, he would step into a front office that has already been reshaped. The Leafs’ revamped leadership is led by GM John Chayka, with Mats Sundin brought in as a senior executive advisor. That overhaul started after Brad Treliving was dismissed in March, and Sundin took over this off-season.
For Toronto, the Brackett possibility lands during a week where the priorities are impossible to ignore. The Leafs still need to hire a new head coach following Craig Berube’s departure. They also have to decide what to do with the No. 1 pick in next month’s draft.
All of it is happening after a season that left a sharp mark. The Maple Leafs finished 32-36-14, ending eighth in the Atlantic Division. Most painfully for a franchise that had reached the playoffs every year since 2016. Toronto missed the postseason for the first time since 2016 — and the changes that follow are showing no signs of easing.
Maple Leafs Toronto Maple Leafs Wild Minnesota Wild Judd Brackett assistant general manager John Chayka Mats Sundin Craig Berube No. 1 pick NHL draft
So they’re changing the front office again? Cool cool cool.
If Chayka’s the GM then why do they need another scout guy lol. Sounds like they’re just shuffling cards and hoping the draft pick fixes everything. Also what happened to the coach already?
Wait I thought Judd Brackett was already with Toronto or something? Like I saw his name years ago on a list. But Russo said he’s leaving for another team so maybe they’re just buying experience before the No. 1 pick thing. Idk, hockey front offices make my head spin.
This whole “amateur scouting” angle feels weird like does it matter when they’ve been drafting wrong forever. If they miss playoffs and then hire Sundin and Chayka and then another Brackett guy it’s like whack-a-mole. Also expiring contract… so Toronto just wants a rental? They should’ve kept Berube too, seems like panic mode.