Maple Leafs’ John Chayka, Mats Sundin preview Gavin McKenna, Ivar Stenberg after winning 1st overall pick
“Well, you need some luck and we got it tonight,” Chayka said during a Zoom call with reporters on Tuesday evening. “A long road ahead, of course, lots of work to do still, but when you get a first overall pick, it’s a monumental type of opportunity and it’s a really good draft and a lot of good players. It’s an honour to pick one overall.”
“He’s an exciting player that I’ve been tracking for a number of years now,” Chayka said of McKenna. “The skill level, the creativity, the puck ability, his shot and release is all pretty special. Good package. It will be good to get with the scouts and talk through it all, but I know there’s a lot of passion for a lot of players, including Gavin.”
“The nice part is, is that I can answer honestly: we haven’t had scouting meetings yet. It’s the second day on the job. We’ll be super diligent and make sure we know everything.”
It’s possible that the Maple Leafs could select Stenberg with the first overall pick, as he’s been lauded for his two-way prowess and playmaking ability throughout the year. Sundin said he’s familiar with Stenberg’s season from the World Championship, but didn’t expand on his skill set or overall profile.
“Well, I think it’s a strong draft. You know, first round is really strong and Ivar has had a strong season, obviously, from the World Junior Championships. And so it’s going to be really great and follow them probably in the World Championship this year, in a couple of weeks or a week. But yeah, strong draft. So it’s going to be interesting and a lot of looking at these different players now and knowing it’s a first overall pick. So a lot of work ahead for us.”
It’s a franchise-altering victory for the Maple Leafs. Chayka and Sundin are now afforded the flexibility to chart any direction they’d like with the Maple Leafs, as this year’s first overall pick will augment an under-25 group led by Matthew Knies and Easton Cowan, while providing Auston Matthews and John Tavares with a bonafide high-end left wing. This pick may come to define Chayka and Sundin’s tenure, but it could be an easy choice when the Leafs take the podium again.