We’ll see if this pattern continues into the 2026 NHL Draft. Toronto is widely expected to select Penn State forward Gavin McKenna with the first overall pick. From there onwards, it’s incumbent upon Chayka, Mark Leach and Judd Brackett to find real value for the Maple Leafs, replenishing a once-barren prospect pool.
A necessary disclaimer: since the Maple Leafs hold the first overall pick, we’re obviously ignoring obvious first-round locks such as Caleb Malhotra and Ethan Belchetz.
Brady Knowling, G, USA Hockey National Development Team Program
Hold on a second! Didn’t you say this was about Ontario-born players! Knowling is perhaps the best goaltender in this year’s class, and though he’s born in Toronto, he holds dual citizenship, electing to play for the USA Hockey National Development Team Program.
Toronto already boasts three quality goaltenders in its system, but it’s always smart to look for quality in the pipeline. Knowling is 6-foot-5 and 207 pounds with great athleticism. Could Knowling compare favourable to Dennis Hildeby as a prospect, while Hildeby eventually graduates to the NHL on a full-time basis?
Knowling had a good season with the USNTDP this year, and even made his World Junior debut. The Boston University goaltender has a big 6-foot-5 frame, but he’s quick for his size, too. The Toronto-born goaltender is the No. 1-ranked North American goaltender according to NHL Central Scouting, with scouts noting that he commands the crease without giving up too many costly rebounds. Not every scout is fully sold on him, especially with passive hands that often lag behind when he moves crease-to-crease. He allows too many weak goals for my liking, too.
We’ll defer to Ellis’ assessment, who has ranked Knowling at No. 93, but it’s encouraging that the 18-year-old will be afforded plenty of time to develop. You can’t teach his tools, and if Hildeby is the model to follow, Toronto’s developmental staff and goaltending coaches will certainly help Knowling with his rebound control. If Knowling is available at No. 60, the Maple Leafs should rush to the podium.
Adam Valentini, C, University of Michigan
Adam Valentini has widely been considered one of the most skilled players in his class. Valentini was a standout scorer with the Toronto Marlboros of the Greater Toronto Hockey League, and was selected 13th overall by the Brampton Steelheads. He reneged on his commitment to the Steelheads, electing to play for the Chicago Steel of the USHL, before heading to the University of Michigan last season.
If Valentini were three inches taller, he would be a first-round lock. He’s a compelling prospect to monitor, especially if his size is considered prohibitive to many teams.
Here’s what Daily Faceoff’s Steven Ellis wrote about Valentini, ranking him at No. 42 overall.
From a pure skill perspective, Valentini is tremendous. Valentini is so energetic that he can chase the whole game without losing much pace. He can be a bit of a pain in the ass around the net because you can almost never keep up with his footwork. I like how his game has progressed in college, but he needs to add more muscle. With the puck, though, Valentini brings so much to the table. I’m not worried about his ability to create damage with the puck on his stick. But is he versatile enough? Is he too small? Always bet high on skill.
Valentini is widely expected to take on a larger role at Michigan, after recording 11 goals and 27 points in 40 games during his freshman year. It’s one of the NCAA’s premier talent development programs, and he will continue to rack up points. If he’s available in the second round, the Maple Leafs should strongly considered adding a highly-skilled centre with a tremendous motor to their prospect pool. Will his slight frame keep him off the Leafs’ board?
Ryan Roobroeck, LW, Niagara IceDogs
There was a time where Ryan Roobroeck was considered a first-round lock. He was selected second overall in the 2023 OHL Draft, one slot behind Matthew Schaefer. You may sense a consistent theme here: Roobroeck was one of the first players scouted in the class and almost gained exceptional status into the Canadian Hockey League. He has some of the best tools in the class. We don’t want to denigrate a young player, but Roobroeck has all the talent and tools, it’s just a matter of his effort level.
Here’s what Daily Faceoff’s Steven Ellis wrote about Roobroeck:
Roobroeck’s combination of size (6-foot-4, 216 pounds) and goal-scoring prowess (99 goals in 176 regular season games over three years) makes him incredibly intriguing. And at one point, he felt like a safe bet to go in the top 10. You don’t find many forwards who can command a play like he can at his absolute best, especially after producing at a high level throughout most of his career. But for a guy his size, he often lacks the intensity required to be a true difference-maker. Few players with Roobroeck’s level of talent fall asleep as frequently on plays, and it’s a shame. At the very least, Roobroeck should be able to excel on the power play, and he’s good as a net-front presence. But scouts are worried about his work ethic on the ice, which is why he fell to this spot. Regardless, I think there’s still some significant upside here.
Here’s where the Leafs can make a bet on tremendous upside, especially if he slides to the third round or beyond. Roobroeck has often functioned as the most talented player on the ice. Good luck trying to rely on skill alone when you’re going up against Auston Matthews, John Tavares, William Nylander, Matthew Knies, Darren Raddysh and Gavin McKenna at practice! If the concerns about Roobroeck’s effort level prove to be overblown, the Maple Leafs could make a risky bet on a talented, power forward, who could emerge as one of the best scorers in the class, if he puts the work in.
Alessandro Di Iorio, C, Sarnia Sting
Di Iorio was a prolific scorer at the youth level and was one of the first players in this class to be scouted. He was teammates with Caleb Malhotra with the Vaughan Kings of the Greater Toronto Hockey League, before graduating to the OHL, where he’s been an essential part of the Sarnia Sting, after being selected second overall in the 2024 OHL Draft.
The 18-year-old recorded 12 goals and 31 points in 45 games with Sarnia this season. These aren’t eye-popping offensive numbers, but there is a case for the Maple Leafs to pursue Di Iorio in the third round, because his floor and hockey intelligence.
Here’s what Daily Faceoff’s Steven Ellis wrote about Di Iorio:
Di Iorio missed the start of the OHL season and was forced to play a bit of catch-up. He finished the season with underwhelming numbers, but Sarnia wasn’t exactly an offensive hotbed. Even when he’s not putting pucks in the net, Di Iorio is always driving the play, making responsible decisions with the puck, and seems to make everyone around him better. Di Iorio does a solid job of carrying the puck through the middle of the ice, showcasing his high-end playmaking and his quick release. He has fallen for most people, though, and his U-18s were very underwhelming. I’m just not sold on him like I used to be.
It’s a bit concerning that Di Iorio has descended on many draft boards, initially viewed as a late first-round pick entering this year. Perhaps there is some untapped upside here, too. It’s worth noting that Tyler Hopkins, Toronto’s 2025 third-round pick was also a prolific scorer at the youth levels, before morphing into a two-way presence in the OHL. Perhaps Hopkins is the model for Di Iorio to follow with the Leafs.
Pierce Mbuyi, LW, Owen Sound Attack
Mbuyi was minor hockey teammates with Adam Valentini with the Toronto Marlboros, and was selected seventh overall in the 2024 OHL Draft. He was a prolific scorer in the GTHL, and his production continued in the OHL, recording 32 goals and 75 points in 68 games with Owen Sound this season. Mbuyi is durable, competitive, skilled, and seemingly undervalued by most scouts.
Here’s what Daily Faceoff’s Steven Ellis wrote about Mbuyi:
Mbuyi has grown a bit over the past year, eliminating the “he’s way too small” conversation. He still hasn’t bulked up by any means, but he plays an aggressive game and isn’t afraid to battle much bigger competition. The Penn State commit loves creating chances on the breakaway, and he rarely loses a 1-on-1 battle in the offensive zone. I’d like to see some improved game-to-game consistency, and I feel like he can shoot more. But the talent is definitely there, and he’s already very multi-faceted. The numbers are solid, too.
It certainly bodes well that the Mbuyi is heading to Penn State. Gavin McKenna excelled as Penn State’s first-line left wing, and it’s a role Mbuyi could naturally graduate into next season. Although the Maple Leafs may eliminate Mbuyi from their board due to his size, he’s proven to be a consistent, durable playmaker and goal-scorer at every phase of his career. He’s certainly an intriguing option, as the draft continues on June 27.