Maple Leafs reportedly receive permission to speak to Wild’s Judd Brackett for AGM

Ahead of a pivotal month for the Toronto Maple Leafs, the organization is looking to make a major hire within their managerial realm.

Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman reports that the Maple Leafs have received permission to speak to Minnesota Wild director of amateur scouting Judd Brackett. The Athletic’s Michael Russo also reported that Brackett is leaving the Wild for a larger role with another team, after overseeing Minnesota’s past five drafts.

Prior to joining the Wild, Brackett spent time with the Vancouver Canucks as an amateur scout, before being promoted to director of amateur scouting. Vancouver also reportedly holds interest in bringing back Brackett. Brackett was on the final year of his existing contract and will be highly sought after in the coming weeks.

Maple Leafs general manager John Chayka and senior executive advisor to hockey operations Mats Sundin have conducted draft meetings and are looking to round out their group ahead of the 2026 NHL Draft. Mark Leach, Toronto’s director of amateur scouting, is overseeing this year’s draft for the team. Toronto won the first overall pick and is widely expected to select Penn State forward Gavin McKenna with the first selection.

There will be major changes ahead for the Maple Leafs in the coming weeks. Toronto is still searching for its next head coach after firing Craig Berube. There aren’t any clear favourites at the moment, with Anaheim Ducks assistant Jay Woodcroft reportedly out of the running.

It will be a pivotal offseason for the Maple Leafs, who could chart a new direction, after missing the playoffs for the first time in a decade. McKenna, Matthew Knies and Easton Cowan could form a new core, while Auston Matthews and William Nylander remain the franchise pillars, and look to re-tool ahead of the 2026-27 campaign. Brackett’s drafting record certainly inspires confidence, and it would be a major coup for the Chayka-Sundin regime.

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