Maple Leafs Land Top Pick, McKenna Seen as Ideal Fit

Summary:

• The Maple Leafs came out with flying colors from the draft lottery, and they are now getting ready to pick first overall.
• Penn State’s Gavin McKenna is currently on everyones lips as the top selection.
• Other top prospects are Caleb Malhotra and Chase Reid.

The Toronto Maple Leafs have won the 2026 NHL Draft Lottery, giving them the first overall pick and a chance to reshape their future. 

According to Craig Button, the choice is clear: Penn State forward Gavin McKenna is the top talent available and a natural fit for the team.

“He Is the Best Player in the Draft”

I think he is the best player in the draft. Now we start to think about the Toronto Maple Leafs and what was the biggest absence for Auston Matthews last year? It was the playmaking winger when Mitch Marner left to go to the Vegas Golden Knights. Well Gavin McKenna is a playmaking winger.

Toronto felt that gap last season after Mitch Marner departed, leaving Auston Matthews without his usual creative support. 

McKenna could step into that role quickly. After two strong seasons in junior hockey, he moved to Penn State for his draft year and impressed with 51 points in 35 games. He also delivered on the international stage, recording 14 points in seven games for Canada at the World Juniors.

For Gavin McKenna, this could be a really good fit for him to come in and to be able to play with somebody as significant as Auston, that can carry play like Auston and take some of the burden off

Canucks Could Opt for Caleb Malhotra at No. 3

Elsewhere in the projected top picks, the San Jose Sharks are expected to select defenceman Chase Reid at No. 2 after moving up in the lottery. The Vancouver Canucks, picking third, are linked to centre Caleb Malhotra, who had a standout season in junior hockey.

The draft class also features several high-end prospects rounding out the top five, including Swedish forward Ivar Stenberg and defenceman Keaton Verhoeff.

The 2026 NHL Draft will take place June 26 to 27,2026, in Buffalo, where Toronto will officially go on the clock with a chance to add a player who could make an immediate impact.