The Toronto Maple Leafs enter the 2026 NHL Draft on Friday, June 26, in Buffalo, and they hold the first overall selection. The general manager, John Chayka, clears his side ahead of the event, claiming the team has already made its choice. 

When he was speaking to the media, Chayka discussed the mindset behind Toronto's decision. Chayka was asked whether the Leafs might trade the selection, but he did not dismiss the idea.

"Yeah, no trade secrets," he said. "We do have our pick, though, and a lot of conviction around it."

While Chayka did not name the player, he described how the Maple Leafs made their decision.

"As soon as the ball drops, everyone's working through their scenarios," he said. "It was really a two-year process."

Chayka also stressed how grateful they were to get a No. 1 overall selection. However, he stressed that its true value lies in how the team uses it to potentially transform the franchise.

"We've got a decision," he confirmed that the pick was already locked in while offering nothing further. "Tomorrow at 7-whatever, we'll share it."

The draft serves as a familiar reset for Toronto. Almost exactly 10 years ago, the Maple Leafs used the top pick in the same Buffalo venue to select Auston Matthews, who broke Mats Sundin's franchise record for all-time goals.

With the hype around the top pick, one name is doing the rounds.

Gavin McKenna headlines draft conversation

While Chayka kept the name to himself, all the pre-draft speculation fell on Gavin McKenna, the 18-year-old Penn State winger who entered the draft as a top-ranked North American skater.

McKenna did little to deny or confirm the rumours when speaking to reporters. He acknowledged the possibility of being selected by Toronto with open enthusiasm.

"Toronto is such a big and passionate fan base," he said in a presser as posted by The Canadian Press on June 26. "If I do get drafted there, I'd be pumped."

The player's journey to the draft started when McKenna got into the Western Hockey League at 14 with the Medicine Hat Tigers. He then went on to lead the entire Canadian Hockey League with 129 points in the 2024-25 season.

He shifted to the NCAA, joining Penn State to compete against stronger teams. He ended up finishing with 51 points in 35 games before getting drafted.

Whatever name they pick suggests the Maple Leafs hold a belief that they have found the right player to build around in the long term.

Whom do you think the Maple Leafs will pick? Let us know in the comments.

Read more at NHL Fan Central.

Written by

Aadhya Nalla

Edited by

Soheli Tarafdar