2026 NHL Draft Sees Toronto Maple Leafs Make Key Selection

The 2026 NHL Draft kicked off Friday night at Buffalo’s KeyBank Center, home to the Buffalo Sabres. As expected, the draft had its usual surprises, but the No. 1 overall pick wasn’t the only surprise this year.

After a tough 2025-26 season, the Toronto Maple Leafs secured the top pick and chose standout player Gavin McKenna from Penn State.

McKenna, an 18-year-old hailing from Whitehorse, Yukon, has long been considered the top prospect in the 2026 NHL Draft. His selection was somewhat anticipated, really. Yet, the Leafs didn’t make much noise about it, despite new general manager John Chayka visiting McKenna at home beforehand.

There’s something about being the first name called—it carries a weight, doesn’t it? Before Justin Bieber makes the announcement, everyone seems to hold their breath. Maybe next time, Biebs, don’t skip the rehearsal.

Regardless, Gavin McKenna now officially belongs to the Toronto Maple Leafs. The team certainly has several needs to address, especially in goal, which is a tricky fix via the draft. They could also benefit from bolstering their defensive lineup. Players like Albert Smits from Europe and Chase Reed from the OHL could fit those requirements nicely.

But honestly, even if the Leafs had different priorities, McKenna is a phenomenal talent who would have been selected regardless. Last season, he racked up 51 points (15 goals, 36 assists) in just 35 games at Penn State. That kind of performance suggests he could slot well into the team’s second or third lines, or even step up as a top-line winger.

Now, with fresh pressure on him, McKenna will need to hit the ground running as the Leafs aim for a quick turnaround under their new coach, Jim Hiller. He definitely has the ability to rise to the occasion, despite any off-ice distractions he’s faced in the past. If he continues his strong trajectory, he’s set to make a significant impact.

Following McKenna, the San Jose Sharks picked Sweden’s Ivar Stenberg as the second overall choice, and the Vancouver Canucks selected Caleb Malhotra—former NHL player Manny Malhotra’s son—at the third pick.