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Toronto Maple Leafs Secure First Overall Pick in 2026 NHL Draft Lottery, GM Signals Flexibility
The Toronto Maple Leafs won the 2026 NHL Draft Lottery, earning the No. 1 overall selection in the upcoming draft that will be held June 26–27 at KeyBank Center in Buffalo, New York. The victory came after a season in which the club struggled to maintain its status as a playoff contender.
General manager John Chayka confirmed that the team has not yet decided whether to keep the top pick or trade it. In a statement released after the lottery, Chayka said the Leafs “have had discussions about trading it” and that “everything is for sale at the right price.” He added that the club is still evaluating options and that there is “nothing compelling that we’re seriously considering” at the moment.
The draft win comes at a time when the Leafs are in the midst of a rebuild. The organization has a new head coach and a new front‑office structure that is focused on acquiring young talent. Chayka and former Leafs captain Mats Sundin, who returned to the club as Senior Executive Advisor in May, have expressed confidence that the team can reshape its roster around core players Auston Matthews and William Nylander.
The Leafs entered the draft with four selections in the first three rounds, including the first overall pick. According to reports from the NHL Combine, the top prospects available to the Leafs include:
* Gavin McKenna – a 5‑foot‑11, 170‑pound left‑wing from Penn State who impressed scouts with his playmaking ability. Chayka noted McKenna’s “brain and talent” and his strong community ties.
* Ivar Stenberg – a 5‑foot‑11, 183‑pound Swedish winger who played for Frolunda in the Swedish Hockey League. Chayka said Stenberg is “more defensively responsible and NHL‑ready” than McKenna.
* Keaton Verhoeff – a 6‑foot‑4, 208‑pound right‑handed defenseman from North Dakota. The Leafs met with Verhoeff in advance of the draft, and he praised the organization’s history and culture.
In the second round, the Leafs hold the 64th overall pick, where they could select Tinus Luc Koblar. Koblar, a 6‑foot‑3, 194‑pound forward from Leksands IF, posted 14 points in 47 games for the club’s Swedish League squad and earned a bronze medal with Norway at the World Championships.
Beyond the draft, Chayka has indicated that the Leafs are willing to make significant moves on the blue line. The organization has been linked to potential trade partners for UFA goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky and St. Louis Blues’ Jordan Binnington. Morgan Rielly, who has reportedly explored four Western Conference destinations, is among the players that could be involved in a trade package. Other names that have surfaced in trade discussions include Jake McCabe, Brandon Carlo, and Oliver Ekman‑Larsson.
The Leafs’ aggressive approach to roster construction is part of a broader strategy to build a competitive team around Matthews and Nylander. The club’s front office has stated that it is willing to “pull the trigger on trades” and that it is looking for “youth and mobility” on its defensive corps.
As the draft approaches, the Leafs will be preparing to make a decision on the No. 1 pick. The organization has expressed that it will consider the best option for the club’s long‑term success. The draft will begin on Friday with the first round, followed by rounds two through seven on Saturday. Fans can watch the live coverage on Sportsnet and Sportsnet+.
The Leafs’ next steps will involve finalizing their draft strategy, evaluating trade offers, and integrating new coaching staff. The outcome of the draft and any subsequent trades will shape the team’s trajectory for the 2026‑27 season and beyond.
General manager John Chayka confirmed that the team has not yet decided whether to keep the top pick or trade it. In a statement released after the lottery, Chayka said the Leafs “have had discussions about trading it” and that “everything is for sale at the right price.” He added that the club is still evaluating options and that there is “nothing compelling that we’re seriously considering” at the moment.
The draft win comes at a time when the Leafs are in the midst of a rebuild. The organization has a new head coach and a new front‑office structure that is focused on acquiring young talent. Chayka and former Leafs captain Mats Sundin, who returned to the club as Senior Executive Advisor in May, have expressed confidence that the team can reshape its roster around core players Auston Matthews and William Nylander.
The Leafs entered the draft with four selections in the first three rounds, including the first overall pick. According to reports from the NHL Combine, the top prospects available to the Leafs include:
* Gavin McKenna – a 5‑foot‑11, 170‑pound left‑wing from Penn State who impressed scouts with his playmaking ability. Chayka noted McKenna’s “brain and talent” and his strong community ties.
* Ivar Stenberg – a 5‑foot‑11, 183‑pound Swedish winger who played for Frolunda in the Swedish Hockey League. Chayka said Stenberg is “more defensively responsible and NHL‑ready” than McKenna.
* Keaton Verhoeff – a 6‑foot‑4, 208‑pound right‑handed defenseman from North Dakota. The Leafs met with Verhoeff in advance of the draft, and he praised the organization’s history and culture.
In the second round, the Leafs hold the 64th overall pick, where they could select Tinus Luc Koblar. Koblar, a 6‑foot‑3, 194‑pound forward from Leksands IF, posted 14 points in 47 games for the club’s Swedish League squad and earned a bronze medal with Norway at the World Championships.
Beyond the draft, Chayka has indicated that the Leafs are willing to make significant moves on the blue line. The organization has been linked to potential trade partners for UFA goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky and St. Louis Blues’ Jordan Binnington. Morgan Rielly, who has reportedly explored four Western Conference destinations, is among the players that could be involved in a trade package. Other names that have surfaced in trade discussions include Jake McCabe, Brandon Carlo, and Oliver Ekman‑Larsson.
The Leafs’ aggressive approach to roster construction is part of a broader strategy to build a competitive team around Matthews and Nylander. The club’s front office has stated that it is willing to “pull the trigger on trades” and that it is looking for “youth and mobility” on its defensive corps.
As the draft approaches, the Leafs will be preparing to make a decision on the No. 1 pick. The organization has expressed that it will consider the best option for the club’s long‑term success. The draft will begin on Friday with the first round, followed by rounds two through seven on Saturday. Fans can watch the live coverage on Sportsnet and Sportsnet+.
The Leafs’ next steps will involve finalizing their draft strategy, evaluating trade offers, and integrating new coaching staff. The outcome of the draft and any subsequent trades will shape the team’s trajectory for the 2026‑27 season and beyond.
