Maple Leafs win 2026 NHL Draft Lottery, will pick first overall in upcoming draft
With just an 8.5% chance of winning the lottery coming in, the Toronto Maple Leafs will be selecting first in the 2026 NHL Draft 🤯
The victory comes only two days after the Maple Leafs announced the hirings of Mats Sundin as senior executive advisor and John Chayka as general manager. Sundin was in represented by the Maple Leafs at the event, flashing a big smile following the victory and talking about his excitement for the fanbase. Penn State’s Gavin McKenna is currently projected to go first overall in the draft, with Swedish winger Ivar Stenberg not far off in terms of talent.
The lottery victory immediately opens a world of options for the team’s new managerial duo. It would be a surprise for the Maple Leafs to go in any direction beyond taking the best player available, but there’s a steady crop of defencemen who have to be appealing to them, including Carson Carels of the WHL, Chase Reid of the OHL, and Keaton Verhoeff of North Dakota. There is also the possibility that they could entertain trading the pick, which is further out there than keeping it but not out of the question for a team in Toronto’s position.
With the victory, the Maple Leafs now have the chance to add a franchise-altering piece to their locker room, and one who could help them as early as next season.