As an assistant GM with the Chicago Blackhawks, Rick Dudley is largely credited with finding Jonathan Toews, Patrick Kane, Kris Versteeg and Patrick Sharp for the 2010 Stanley Cup champions.

Now Dudley, a 62-year-old Toronto native, is bringing his eye for talent to the Maple Leafs.

“The Leafs are ahead of where Chicago was when I arrived there,” Dudley told the Star’s Paul Hunter in St. Paul, Minn. “I think (the Blackhawks) had 60 points the year before and I don’t think there’s a single player left on (that) Chicago roster.

“They got 104 points and subsequently won the Stanley Cup. This team is a little different than that. There are pieces in place, some very likeable pieces.

“(The Leafs) have a number of players I’ve liked as an opponent and I think that’s a valuable thing, to have someone from the outside come in and take a look at things.”

Dudley joins the team’s packed front office that includes assistants Dave Nonis, Dave Poulin, Claude Loiselle and adviser Cliff Fletcher.

“A premier talent evaluator, always have room for a guy like him,” GM Brian Burke said in an email. “I have wanted to work with (Dudley) for 15 years.”

The former Buffalo Sabre became a front-office free agent when the Winnipeg group that bought the Atlanta Thrashers — where Dudley served as general manager in 2010-11 — hired Kevin Cheveldayoff as GM.

Several clubs contacted Dudley, but he chose Toronto even though his role is not defined.

“Whatever Brian (Burke) and David (Nonis) ask me to do. I’ve got one advantage over a lot of people. I’ve been around so long, I’ve done everything, so whatever they ask I’ll do.”

Dudley had been Atlanta GM for just one season, trading for the likes of Andrew Ladd and Dustin Byfuglien.

Before his assistant job in Chicago, Dudley spent 2 ½ seasons as senior vice-president and general manager of the Tampa Bay Lightning (1999-2000 to 2001-02). He brought in Martin St. Louis, Dan Boyle, Nikolai Khabibulin, Dave Andreychuk and Fredrik Modin, key players in Tampa’s 2004 Stanley Cup win.

In his two drafts running the Florida Panthers, he picked Nathan Horton, Jay Bouwmeester, Gregory Campbell and Anthony Stewart.