The Toronto Maple Leafs have officially signed forward Brendan Brisson to a one-year contract, adding another competitive element to their forward group as training camp approaches. The TSN sports network first reported the signing on Friday, noting that the 24-year-old winger will join a heavily remodeled roster under general manager John Chayka and head coach Jim Hiller.
Brisson’s Career Path and Pedigree
Brisson, the son of prominent NHL player agent Pat Brisson, split his 2025-26 season between the New York Rangers and their American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, the Hartford Wolf Pack. In three NHL appearances with the Rangers last season, he recorded one assist. At the AHL level, Brisson proved to be a reliable offensive contributor, registering 19 goals and 37 points in 66 games for Hartford.
This report draws on information published by NHL.
Originally selected 29th overall by the Vegas Golden Knights in the first round of the 2020 NHL Entry Draft, Brisson has appeared in 27 career NHL games split between Vegas and New York, tallying two goals and nine points. In the AHL, he has accumulated 145 points (66 goals, 79 assists) in 244 career games with the Hartford Wolf Pack and the Henderson Silver Knights.
Before turning professional, Brisson spent two seasons at the University of Michigan (2020-22), where he recorded 63 points in 62 games, won a Big Ten Championship, and was named to the B1G Second All-Star Team in 2022. He also represented Team USA at the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing, where he scored two goals in four games alongside current Maple Leafs winger Matthew Knies. His junior career was highlighted by a standout 2019-20 season with the USHL’s Chicago Steel, where he earned Rookie of the Year honors after posting 59 points in 45 games.
An Overhauled Forward Group and the Domi Question
Brisson enters a highly competitive situation in Toronto. General manager John Chayka has systematically overhauled the Maple Leafs’ forward group this summer. In free agency, the team added several experienced depth forwards, including Colton Sissons, Jack Roslovic, Nick Paul, Teddy Blueger, Brandon Duhaime, and Zack MacEwen. Additionally, Toronto selected highly touted prospect Gavin McKenna with the first overall pick in the June draft, adding elite young talent to the pipeline.
A potential roster opening has emerged due to the uncertain status of forward Max Domi. Domi has been ruled out indefinitely following complications arising from an off-season surgery performed in May. While Domi’s absence is a blow to Toronto’s top-six forward depth, it creates a direct path for players like Brisson to compete for a permanent spot during the upcoming training camp.
Defensive and Goaltending Reconstruction
The changes in Toronto extend far beyond the forward lines. Chayka has been aggressive in reshaping the team’s defensive core and goaltending department. On defense, the Maple Leafs acquired Darren Raddysh via a sign-and-trade, locking him down to an eight-year contract. To help facilitate defensive adjustments, Toronto traded Simon Benoit to the Philadelphia Flyers as part of the package to acquire young Swedish defenseman Emil Andrae.
Perhaps the most significant move of the off-season occurred in net. Toronto acquired veteran goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky to form a tandem with Anthony Stolarz. To complete these transactions, the Maple Leafs traded goaltender Joseph Woll to Philadelphia in the Andrae trade, and sent prospect Dennis Hildeby to the Tampa Bay Lightning as part of the trade that brought forward Nick Paul to Toronto.
Coaching and Preseason Outlook
The responsibility of integrating these new pieces falls on head coach Jim Hiller. Hiller returned to Toronto this off-season, having previously served as an assistant coach for the Maple Leafs under Mike Babcock from 2015 to 2019. Hiller’s familiarity with the pressure of the Toronto market and his tactical experience will be critical as he designs new line combinations during training camp.
The Maple Leafs are scheduled to open their preseason schedule on September 19 with split-squad games against their historic rivals, the Montreal Canadiens. Training camp, which begins later this month, will serve as the primary evaluation period for Brisson and the rest of Toronto’s offseason acquisitions as they attempt to solidify their roles on the opening-night roster.