{"id":658871,"date":"2026-05-09T20:33:10","date_gmt":"2026-05-09T20:33:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/658871\/"},"modified":"2026-05-09T20:33:10","modified_gmt":"2026-05-09T20:33:10","slug":"2026-nhl-draft-top-5-scenarios-maple-leafs-get-mckenna-sharks-on-the-chase-the-hockey-writers-toronto-maple-leafs","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/658871\/","title":{"rendered":"2026 NHL Draft Top-5 Scenarios: Maple Leafs Get McKenna & Sharks on the Chase – The Hockey Writers – Toronto Maple Leafs"},"content":{"rendered":"

The balls are officially in<\/a>, the picks are ready and the 2026 NHL Draft stage is set. Now, all that needs to be determined is which prospects are going where and who will make their picks and who will move them. For the next few weeks speculation will swirl and possible scenarios will be spit out from people outside each respective organization, while no one truly knows how the whole thing will play out.<\/p>\n

With that in mind, over the next week, we will break down five possible scenarios of how the 2026 NHL Draft<\/a> could go. From the number one pick to the fifth overall selection, we\u2019ll answer the who and they why of what players could hear their name in the top five picks. Without further ado, here\u2019s the first mock scenario with the Toronto Maple Leafs remaining on the clock with the first overall selection.<\/p>\n

Maple Leafs Select McKenna First Overall<\/p>\n

It\u2019s still a bit of a two-horse race atop this season\u2019s NHL Draft. That said, when it comes to pure talent, most would still suggest that the Maple Leafs take Penn State\u2019s Gavin McKenna with the first overall selection.<\/p>\n

\"GavinPenn State Nittany Lions forward Gavin McKenna (Matthew O\u2019Haren-Imagn Images)<\/p>\n

The 18-year-old sees the game on another level, much like former Maple Leaf Mitch Marner. The difference between the two is that McKenna has a shot that he uses more often and that is quite deceptive. His hockey IQ is on a different level and aside from a slowish start to his freshman year in the NCAA, McKenna took his play to another level in the second half of the year.<\/p>\n

For new Maple Leafs general manager, John Chayka, it\u2019d be pretty tough to pass up on McKenna atop the draft \u2013 especially with rumours swirling around Auston Matthews<\/a>\u2018 future with the franchise. If the team can start off the new tenure by adding a player of this calibre to their lineup right off the hop, they\u2019ll be in good shape for a strong re-tooling on the go or a full rebuild if the new management teams decides to go that route.<\/p>\n

Sharks Draft Chase Reid Second Overall<\/p>\n

In this scenario, the San Jose Sharks skip over the European winger and draft a defenceman in right-hander Chase Reid. Let\u2019s face it, the Sharks have a growing group of talent up front with Macklin Celebrini and Will Smith<\/a> leading the charge. The addition of Reid will help to solidify a future on the back end for this soon-to-be perennial contender.<\/p>\n

Add to that, Reid has an innate ability to get involved offensively while also using his size to add a physical element to his game and it\u2019s going to be pretty hard for the Sharks to pass up an opportunity to lock up a future stud.<\/p>\n

At some point, Reid will be eating up big minutes on an NHL blue line while quarterbacking a power play and it might come sooner than people think. It makes sense for the Sharks to take a long look at him at second overall.<\/p>\n

Canucks Look at Family Ties With Malhotra at Third Overall<\/p>\n

This sequence would put the Vancouver Canucks in a tough spot \u2013 choosing between Ivar Stenberg and Caleb Malhotra. But with some familiarity to the name, and the fact that he had an outstanding season in the OHL<\/a>, Malhotra might force the Canucks arm with the third overall pick.<\/p>\n

\"CalebCaleb Malhotra, Brantford Bulldogs (Logan Taylor\/ OHL Images)<\/p>\n

Let\u2019s face it, it\u2019s hard to ignore an 84-point regular season from a first-year player in the OHL. Add to that his speed, his tenacity and his willingness to play a two-way game and Malhotra is truly a hard one to pass on. He\u2019s a young centre \u2013 something the Canucks desperately need and it doesn\u2019t hurt that his father is currently coaching within the organization.<\/p>\n

He can play in all situations and drives the play up ice with his speed and elite-level puck handling. While it\u2019ll be hard to pass on Stenberg, Malhotra makes more sense for the lowly Canucks.<\/p>\n

Blackhawks Score Stenberg With Fourth Overall<\/p>\n

With the first three teams passing on him, the Chicago Blackhawks luck out with Ivar Stenberg with the fourth overall pick. He\u2019s a player that already transitioned his game to play against men at the next level and he did so while still being a tough offensive player to play against.<\/p>\n

With 33 points in 43 games with Fr\u00f6lunda HC, Stenberg\u2019s season was nearly a record setting performance at Sweden\u2019s top level of hockey. Still, his impressive numbers have him as definite top-five pick, with many believing that the he could still fight for that number one spot alongside McKenna.<\/p>\n

So, if he does fall to fourth, the Blackhawks cannot hesitate in bolstering their core alongside Anton Frondell and Connor Bedard.<\/p>\n

Rangers Welcome Carels to Broadway at Fifth Overall<\/p>\n

To close out the top-five \u2013 and this first scenario \u2013 the New York Rangers will also jump on board with picking a defenceman. Let\u2019s be honest, this organization is in shambles. Having traded away a number of assets recently, they need to start somewhere. While a player like Tynan Lawrence might make sense for the Rangers, Carson Carels makes even more sense.<\/p>\n

\"CarsonCarson Carels, Prince George Cougars (James Doyle \/ Prince George Cougars)<\/p>\n

Starting from the net out, the Rangers already have their goaltender in Igor Shesterkin. With K\u2019Andre Miller gone, Carels\u2019 physicality and size adds back in a strong presence on the blue line. Now, add in his offensive production and Carels makes more sense for the Rangers at number five.<\/p>\n

Simply put, the Rangers need a number of pieces to become relevant again. Starting with Carels, this might be the start of a new Rangers team in the next couple of seasons.<\/p>\n

Now, these picks aren\u2019t based on the best player available, rather what teams might be looking for heading into the 2026 NHL Draft. That said, this is the first of five possible scenarios as we continue to push towards the real thing. With that in mind, the first mock draft is over and we\u2019ll have the second top-five mock draft up next.<\/p>\n

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