The Toronto Maple Leafs selected Gavin McKenna as the first overall pick in the NHL draft. McKenna, an 18-year-old forward from Whitehorse, Yukon, was chosen by Toronto after the team finished last in the Atlantic Division last season, missing the playoffs for the first time since Auston Matthews joined the team in 2016. His selection marks him as only the second Indigenous player to be drafted first overall in the league’s history.
John Chayka, the new general manager for the Maple Leafs, indicated that the team’s staff was unanimous in their choice. Chayka had visited McKenna and his family in Whitehorse last month. McKenna’s selection was announced by Canadian pop icon Justin Bieber, a longtime Maple Leafs fan, who joined NHL commissioner Gary Bettman on stage for the announcement. Bettman’s appearance was met with traditional boos from the crowd, a common draft-day occurrence.
McKenna has a history of prolific scoring, combining for 79 goals and 244 points in 133 games with the WHL’s Medicine Hat. He then transitioned to the NCAA, where he concluded his freshman season with 32 points in his final 17 outings, tying for fourth nationally with 51 points. His move to the NCAA was aimed at challenging himself against older and more physical competition. McKenna is the fifth NCAA player to be chosen first overall in the draft, and the third in six years, following Owen Power in 2021.
The draft’s opening saw Bettman joined by Sabres forward Josh Doan and NFL Bills tackle Dion Dawkins. Dawkins acknowledged both Sabres and Maple Leafs fans in attendance, leading a cheer of “Let’s go, Buffalo.” McKenna is accustomed to the spotlight, having been projected as his age group’s top prospect for over two years. He now moves to a metropolitan area significantly larger than Whitehorse, which has a population of approximately 39,000. He is the fifth Yukon-born player to be drafted, and the highest pick from Yukon since Dylan Cozens was selected seventh overall by Buffalo in 2019.
Sharks Bolster Young Core
The San Jose Sharks were identified as significant winners in the first round of the 2026 NHL Draft, making three selections that are expected to bolster their young core. The Sharks picked Ivar Stenberg at No. 2, Keaton Verhoeff at No. 9, and Ryan Lin at No. 21. This strategy aimed to address the team’s need for a premium defensive prospect while also securing a top forward.
Stenberg, ranked second, is considered one of the most accomplished teenage forwards from Sweden in decades. He is anticipated to be a front-line winger who can either lead his own line or play alongside Macklin Celebrini. Stenberg is expected to make an immediate impact as a rookie next year and could be a contender for the Calder Trophy. The Sharks’ forward group, including Celebrini, Michael Misa, Will Smith, and Stenberg, is expected to form a formidable power play and create two strong top-six pairs.
Verhoeff, selected ninth, is a right-shot defenseman with a strong build and pedigree from the NCAA, WHL, and internationally with Hockey Canada. Despite some concerns regarding his decision-making, his size, handedness, shot, and overall tools suggest he could become a stud defenseman in the league. Lin, chosen at No. 21, is described as one of the smartest, most polished, and competitive defensemen in his class. He is also noted for being a better skater and athlete than generally recognized, and is expected to be an impactful top-four puck-moving defenseman in the NHL. The Sharks’ young core now includes two top young defensemen in Sam Dickinson and Verhoeff, alongside the emergence of Igor Chernyshov as another like-aged forward.
Other Notable First-Round Selections
The Seattle Kraken used their sixth first-round pick on a defenseman, selecting Chase Reid at No. 7. This marked a shift for the organization, which had previously used its first five first-round picks on forwards. Reid, ranked third, is an offensive defenseman known for joining the rush and activating off the line. He possesses the skating and skill to make plays based on his offensive instincts and has shown significant defensive progression. He is expected to become the organization’s best young defenseman since its inception in 2021 and has the attributes of a top-pairing offensive defenseman and future power-play quarterback.
The Winnipeg Jets selected Viggo Björck at No. 8. Björck, despite his height of 5-foot-9, has proven himself as one of the best forwards and top centers in his class. He is known for being smart, strong, competitive, and skilled, with a unique understanding of how to impact games for his age. He is projected to become a top-six center who enhances the play of those around him.
The Nashville Predators made two first-round selections, picking Wyatt Cullen at No. 10 and Tommy Bleyl at No. 31. Cullen was a significant riser in the draft despite missing much of the season due to hip problems. His skill level was a clear differentiator, even among other top prospects in major events like the CHL USA Prospects Challenge and U18 worlds. Cullen, who grew from 5-foot-5 to 6-foot-1, is considered one of the most dynamic one-on-one players in his class, with the skating and handling abilities to break down coverage and make plays. Bleyl, a 5-foot-11.25 defenseman, is noted for his skating and understanding of the game, suggesting he will become an interesting NHL player. The Predators now have several similarly sized defensemen with strong mobility, including Bleyl, Cameron Reid, and Tanner Molendyk. Additionally, the team has acquired two individually gifted teenage wingers in Cullen and Ryker Lee, addressing a historical lack of offensive flair.
The Utah Mammoth selected Ethan Belchetz at No. 17. Belchetz has shown both strong starts to his 16-year-old and 17-year-old seasons and some periods of struggle, including a clavicle injury. However, his combination of size and skill is rare, making him a difficult player to pass up. The Mammoth are betting on his unique potential, with other teams in their range also prepared to make a similar wager. Belchetz will need to demonstrate his promise consistently across a full season.
The Calgary Flames picked Carson Carels at No. 6 and Jack Hextall at No. 30. Carels was widely considered the second-best defenseman in this class.
Source: nytimes.com