The Toronto Maple Leafs enter the 2026 NHL Draft in an unusual position, holding the No. 1 overall pick despite entering last season with expectations of competing for a playoff spot and aiming at making a deep postseason run.
The organization did the total opposite, finishing the regular season 32-36-14 and the fifth-worst record in the NHL. Luckily for the Leafs, they got the draft lottery balls to bounce their way and ended up earning the first selection in the upcoming draft.
Top NHL prospect Gavin McKenna, who is widely expected to go No. 1 in a few weeks, confirmed on Thursday that Leafs general manager John Chayka traveled to his hometown to meet with him and his family ahead of the draft.
The two sides also plan to have additional meetings during the NHL Scouting Combine process, Chayka confirmed on Friday.
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“Chayka, he ended up coming up to Whitehorse,” McKenna said. “So I got to meet with him and had a really good conversation with him. I think they’ve got their combine after this, so go meet with them there, and we’ll see where things go.”
McKenna scored 15 goals and 51 points in 35 games during his final college season. He is considered NHL-ready and one of the most complete prospects available. On Friday, he gave the Maple Leafs faithful all they needed to hear ahead of the draft.
“Going to a Canadian market would be pretty special,” McKenna told the Toronto Sun's Terry Koshan. “The situation the Leafs are in right now, it’s pretty crazy that they got the first overall pick. Their team is probably going to be fighting for the playoffs next year. I’d be pretty fortunate to go there.”
The Maple Leafs entered the draft lottery with an 8.5 percent chance of landing the top pick compared to the Vancouver Canucks' 18.5 percent after the latter finished 32nd in the standings.
Toronto's front office, now under the guidance of new GM Chayka, has not publicly disclosed its plans for the No. 1 pick, whether that means drafting McKenna or any other prospect.
The 2026 NHL Draft is scheduled for June 26-27 at KeyBank Center in Buffalo.
