Toronto hired Dougie Hamilton's brother and Leafs fans already want the family reunion

The Maple Leafs hired Dougie Hamilton's brother Freddie as Chief of Staff on Monday, as Maple Leafs fans are hoping a family reunion is in the works.

Monday came with the announcement that the Toronto Maple Leafs had hired Judd Brackett as Assistant GM while also appointing Freddie Hamilton as their Chief of Staff. Hamilton's younger brother Dougie has been named as a prime trade target for the team, and now fans are hoping that the two can come together once again.

Freddie, Dougie's older brother having retired in 2018, went off to Yale and received his MBA before working closely with Bolt Ventures - a venture capital firm that focuses on IT, gaming, and the world of technology. His role with the team according to GM John Chayka is to help align the hockey operations department and 'execute key strategic initiatives.'

Freddie Hamilton's hiring has fans dreaming of a potential Dougie Hamilton trade

It's not exactly as big of a hiring as Brackett's considering his draft history and track record however it's a very interesting addition to the front office given the optics surrounding his hiring.

Though those around hockey couldn't be happier for Hamilton, as many praise his intelligence and personable nature:

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For the past two seasons we've heard rumblings of the Maple Leafs being interested in acquiring puck-moving defenceman Dougie Hamilton from the New Jersey Devils. It hasn't happened yet, but the veteran seems at least open to the move and has some history already engrained in the annals of team history.

Now with his brother in tow, Hamilton may very well be more than open to reuniting with his brother in Toronto, and some fans are also thinking this is much, much more than just a coincidental hiring:

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What it could cost the Maple Leafs to acquire Dougie Hamilton

Dougie would fill a big hole in the Maple Leafs lineup, and who better to know what he can offer than his older brother? Plus with Freddie's prior relationship with John Chayka (playing in Arizona when Chayka was GM), there's already that trust level built up.

Hamilton, 32, struggled this season with only 39 points in 77 games but has averaged 11 goals and 38.5 points in his career which also includes seven straight seasons with double-digit goals (2014-2021).

But then comes the cost, as New Jersey isn't just going to let him go for anything. They would likely prefer to bring back a young puck mover as well, with some top-six help. Toronto could offer William Villeneuve as an immediate option to step into the lineup now, as Simon Nemec takes over #1 duties presumably.

Then the team can give Nick Robertson away and let him finally loose. He's needed a fresh start for a bit, and reuniting with Sheldon Keefe's up-tempo offence may be the key in getting him to unlock his full potential. He knows what he can offer and the coach who gave him hit first real shot in the NHL.

The team could also afford to part with a goalie like Dennis Hildeby, who has been usurped in the AHL by Artur Akhtyamov and is at risk of being lost for nothing this fall and he fits a need for the Devils who have an aging and injury prone goalie tandem.

Toronto doesn't need to worry about money if the Rielly situation resolves as it's expected to, so taking on Hamilton's full $9-million salary won't be a concern:

To New Jersey:

(D) William Villeneuve (RFA)
(F) Nick Robertson (RFA)
(G) Dennis Hildeby

To Toronto:

(D) Dougie Hamilton

It may seem like a vast overpayment but given that Hildeby is being pushed out and could be lost for free, and Robertson and Villeneuve are still wildcards in the Maple Leafs lineup come next season; trading for Hamilton to help now makes sense.

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The Toronto Maple Leafs hire draft guru Judd Brackett