Overview
- The Maple Leafs announced the signing on Friday of Brendan Brisson to a one-year, two-way contract with a reported $850,000 NHL cap hit and a $300,000 AHL salary.
- Brisson is a 2020 first-round pick (29th overall) who starred at the University of Michigan and won U.S. gold at the 2021 World Junior Championship and played at the 2022 Olympics.
- He spent most of 2025–26 in the AHL with the Hartford Wolf Pack, scoring 19 goals and 37 points in 66 games and adding one assist in three NHL games with the New York Rangers.
- The Rangers did not issue a qualifying offer this summer, which made Brisson a free agent, and his contract status means he will keep Group-6 UFA eligibility unless he plays at least 53 NHL games this season.
- With new GM John Chayka reshaping the forward group and the Marlies entering the season as Calder Cup champions, Brisson is expected to start in the AHL and push for bottom-six call-ups, giving Toronto low-risk depth and a development option.