Wingers Gavin McKenna, Ivar Stenberg are 2026 top prospects and either would slot in nicely on Leafs\u2019 top line<\/p>\n
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Published May 05, 2026 \u00a0\u2022\u00a0 Last updated 21\u00a0minutes ago \u00a0\u2022\u00a0 4 minute read<\/p>\n
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Or sign-in<\/a> if you have an account.<\/p>\n The Maple Leafs are back in business.<\/p>\n Advertisement 2<\/p>\n This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.<\/p>\n THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY<\/p>\n Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.<\/p>\n Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account.Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on.Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists.Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists.Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword.<\/p>\n SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES<\/p>\n Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.<\/p>\n Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account.Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on.Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists.Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists.Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword.<\/p>\n REGISTER \/ SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES<\/p>\n Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.<\/p>\n Access articles from across Canada with one account.Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments.Enjoy additional articles per month.Get email updates from your favourite authors.<\/p>\n THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK.<\/p>\n Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.<\/p>\n Access articles from across Canada with one accountShare your thoughts and join the conversation in the commentsEnjoy additional articles per monthGet email updates from your favourite authors<\/p>\n Article content<\/p>\n The Leafs won the NHL draft lottery on Tuesday night.<\/p>\n Article content<\/p>\n Article content<\/p>\n They will have the first pick overall in the 2026 National Hockey League draft.<\/p>\n Your Midday Sun<\/p>\n Thanks for signing up!<\/p>\n Article content<\/p>\n Advertisement 3<\/p>\n This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.<\/p>\n Article content<\/p>\n Wingers Gavin McKenna and Ivar Stenberg are the top prospects, and either one would slot in nicely on the Leafs\u2019 top line.<\/p>\n Anything other than McKenna, at this point, would be surprising. The 18-year-old has been the No. 1 pick in the mock drafts that have been done most recently and has been in the talk to be first overall for months.<\/p>\n The off-season challenges for new Leafs general manager John Chayka suddenly might not be as daunting.<\/p>\n What a difference a day makes after Chayka and Mats Sundin were introduced during an awkward news conference on Monday afternoon.<\/p>\n \u201cJust really excited for the organization, for the fan base,\u201d Chayka said in a Zoom call not long after the lottery. \u201cI think it\u2019s a meaningful step. And yeah, elated.<\/p>\n \u201cYou don\u2019t know what\u2019s going to occur in these types of situations, but you do know you need some luck, and it happened.<\/p>\n \u201cCertainly, when these things happen, it can change course and timelines, etc, but it\u2019s not something that we\u2019re going to change how we think about things. It\u2019s a fortuitous bounce.\u201d<\/p>\n Advertisement 4<\/p>\n This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.<\/p>\n Article content<\/p>\n Whether the draft lottery win tilts anything in the favour of captain Auston Matthews<\/a> deciding to remain with the Leafs is to be determined. Conversations with Chayka still need to take place.<\/p>\n Said Sundin, minutes after Toronto won: \u201cI\u2019m extremely happy for the Toronto Maple Leafs fan base. It\u2019s great to have the first pick. Great night, great lottery.\u201d<\/p>\n As a result of the lottery, the next four picks, in order, belong to San Jose, Vancouver, Chicago and the New York Rangers.<\/p>\n Read More<\/p>\n Pondering a potential Maple Leafs future without Auston Matthews after John Chayka hiring<\/p>\n <\/a> Internet reacts to Steve Simmons’ viral moment at Leafs press conference for new GM John Chayka<\/p>\n <\/a><\/p>\n The NHL draft will be held in Buffalo on June 26 and 27.<\/p>\n It\u2019s a potential franchise-altering development for the Leafs, fresh off missing the Stanley Cup playoffs for the first time in 10 years.<\/p>\n Originally slotted to pick fifth, the Leafs had an 8.5% chance of winning the first pick.<\/p>\n McKenna, a native of Whitehorse, Yukon, had 51 points in 35 games for Penn State this past season after three years with Medicine Hat of the Western Hockey League.<\/p>\n Advertisement 5<\/p>\n This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.<\/p>\n Article content<\/p>\n Stenberg, 18, had 33 points in 43 games for Frolunda of the Swedish Hockey League. He\u2019s regarded as an elite playmaker with a high hockey IQ and top-notch work ethic.<\/p>\n Chayka has been out of the NHL game for several years, yet he knows all about McKenna and what he could provide.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ve tracked him for a number of years now,\u201d Chayka said. \u201cThe skill level, the creativity, the puck ability, and his shot and release are all pretty special.<\/p>\n \u201cGood package. It\u2019ll be good to get with the scouts and talk through it all. I know there\u2019s a lot of passion for a lot of players, including Gavin.\u201d<\/p>\n Still, homework on the part of the Leafs, Chayka said, has to be done.<\/p>\n \u201cThe nice part is, I can answer honestly, we haven\u2019t had scouting meetings yet, second day on the job,\u201d Chayka said with a smile. \u201cI think we\u2019ll get together and we\u2019ll go through everything as we should, be super-diligent and make sure we know everything.<\/p>\n \u201cThere\u2019s a lot of always a lot of diligence when you\u2019re picking first overall and making sure you nail it.<\/p>\n Advertisement 6<\/p>\n This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.<\/p>\n Article content<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m always open to everything, but I do think when you get a chance to draft first overall, it\u2019s obviously a special opportunity.\u201d<\/p>\n RECOMMENDED VIDEO We apologize, but this video has failed to load.<\/p>\n Play Video<\/p>\n McKenna was part of Sportsnet\u2019s lottery show as the balls dropped at the NHL Network\u2019s offices in Secaucus, N.J., and spoke before the winner was revealed.<\/p>\n \u201cThere\u2019s a big spotlight on me, I don\u2019t have to be perfect, but I have to be on top of things and make sure I\u2019m dialled in with habits on and off the ice,\u201d McKenna said from Kelowna, B.C., where he is training. \u201cI\u2019m getting ready for whatever is next. I think in terms of my character, I think I grew.\u201d<\/p>\n In February, following an alleged incident outside a bar in Pennsylvania, a felony aggravated assault charge against McKenna was dropped. McKenna is still facing misdemeanour charges.<\/p>\n It will be third time the Leafs have the first overall pick.<\/p>\n In 2016, they chose Matthews. In 1985, the Leafs selected Wendel Clark first overall.<\/p>\n The Leafs will transfer their first-round pick in 2027 or 2028 to the Boston Bruins as part of the Brandon Carlo trade. The other first-rounder in the next two years will go to the Philadelphia Flyers as part of the Scott Laughton trade.<\/p>\n Those possibilities could be moot, considering what McKenna or Stenberg might bring.<\/p>\n \u201cThe Maple Leafs, in my opinion, is the greatest hockey franchise in the world,\u201d Sundin said. \u201cIt\u2019s a great opportunity for whoever is going to be first overall to come in and represent the Toronto Maple Leafs. (He\u2019s) going to enjoy it.\u201d<\/p>\n A day after the Leafs were roughed up at the podium, the hockey gods picked them up.<\/p>\n Never a dull moment in Toronto.<\/p>\n![\"Toronto](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/CP176253353-e1778024931729.jpg\")
Toronto Maple Leafs executive Mats Sundin appears on a video screen after the team he just joined won the NHL draft lottery for the first pick, drawn at NHL Network studio in Secaucus, N.J., on Tuesday, May 5, 2026. Photo by Stephen Whyno \/AP PhotoArticle content<\/p>\n![\"Toronto](\"https:\/\/dcs-static.gprod.postmedia.digital\/21.1.1\/websites\/images\/identity\/logo-identity-tsun.svg\"){kind=logo}
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Penn State\u2019s Gavin McKenna skates against Arizona State during an NCAA college hockey game on Oct. 3, 2025, in Tempe, Ariz. Photo by Rick Scuteri \/The Associated Press<\/p>\n![\"Loading...\"](\"https:\/\/dcs-static.gprod.postmedia.digital\/21.1.1\/websites\/images\/common\/icon-spinner-animated.svg\"){kind=icon}
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