The Toronto Maple Leafs got the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NHL Draft after winning the lottery on May 5, despite entering the draw with just an 8.5% chance.

Two players who eagerly anticipated and were delightfully surprised by the results were forwards William Nylander and Matthew Knies

In a recent video posted on Nylander's YouTube channel, the Swedish star shared his reaction along with his teammate, Knies, when the Leafs won the lottery. 

The two Leafs players were attending the Marlies' Game 4 against the Laval Rocket when the news dropped.

"What happened, guys? He won the draft lottery. Are you kidding me?" Nylander said, as reported by BarDown.

Attending the North Division Semifinals, Nylander and Knies were clearly more invested in checking the team's draft pick. Nylander seemed bemused by the reactions to the Maple Leafs' lottery fate.

"How is this not a big deal when we were getting 1 or 2?"

During the state of confusion, the two even felt that they were being deceived.

"I just got trolled too."

The Maple Leafs duo eventually opened the NHL app to confirm what they were hearing.

"Oh my god. That's crazy. That's insane." 

They went on to remark at the event, citing how slim Toronto's chances were of getting the No.1 overall pick. The pick proved to be a fundamental win for the Maple Leafs, after a tough season during which they missed the playoffs.

The lottery result also pulled Toronto away from a potential asset management tied to previous trades. Thanks to the pick, the club won't have to retain or uphold long-term contracts to older trade-deadline rentals.

Furthermore, acquiring a generational prospect will allow the front office to revisit the organization's timeline and assess roster decisions concerning previous trades.

This adds to their organizational overhaul, with the Maple Leafs undergoing a front-office rejig. New general manager John Chayka, introduced just the day before the lottery, reflected on the pick.

"Long road ahead, of course. Lots of work to do still," he stated in a Zoom conference after the lottery. "But when you get a first overall pick, it's a monumental type of opportunity."

Chayka, alongside Senior Executive Advisor Mats Sundin, is planning a squad rebuild. They are also in search of a new head coach, after firing Craig Berube in early May.

Top Draft Prospects and Toronto's Decision at No. 1

Toronto's No. 1 pick could come down to left wingers, Gavin McKenna of Penn State University or Ivar Stenberg of the Swedish Hockey League.

McKenna is widely considered the favored option, having finished second in the NCAA in points per game and set nine team records at Penn State. He also became the first freshman to record at least 50 points in a season. He finished second after scoring at the World Juniors with 14 points across seven games.

Stenberg had 33 points in the SHL this season, the fifth-most by an 18-year-old in the league and the most since 1998-99. He is a highly skilled offensive forward capable of being defensively adept.

The Leafs will use the draft pick on a player who can become a cornerstone, while also carrying their current core, which might see changes in the offseason.

Read more at NHL Fan Central!

Written by

Aadhya Nalla

Edited by

Sijo Paul