The Toronto Maple Leafs did not pull any surprises with the first overall pick at the 2026 NHL Draft in Buffalo, selecting Penn State University winger Gavin McKenna. The presentation at KeyBank Center featured Leafs superfan Justin Bieber, and a video welcome from another first overall pick selected in Buffalo a decade ago, team captain Auston Matthews.
What day one of the draft did not feature was any trades involving the Leafs. In spite of incessant chatter that GM John Chayka would deal winger Matthew Knies if he could get another top ten pick in a massive haul, no deal came to fruition. It’s unlikely that this will put to bed any further speculation of the winger’s status with the Leafs, but it was clear that the motivation of shopping the 23-year-old was to get two or three assets for one.
Chayka continued to clear out salary and restore some draft capital on Day #2, shipping out defenseman Brandon Carlo for a pair of third-round picks (73rd and 76th overall), giving the Leafs four picks in the third and nine picks overall.
Here is a rundown of the Leafs picks:
60th overall: Alexander Bilecki (Kitchener – OHL) – A 6’1″, 180 lb. defenseman who played a depth role for the Memorial Cup-winning Rangers. The Mississauga native is described as having great skating ability and could grow into an offensive producer as he matures.
69th overall: Ethan MacKenzie (Edmonton – WHL) – Toronto goes blueline again, with a late bloomer in MacKenzie, who scored 58 points (22 goals, 36 assists) in 59 games for the Oil Kings. The teammate of Leafs draftee Miroslav Holinka, the BC native, surprisingly made Team Canada at the 2026 WJC and is known for his unending work ethic and aggressiveness. He is headed to play at the University of North Dakota next season.
73rd overall: Zach Olsen (Saskatoon – WHL) – A 6’1″, 202 lb winger known for his speed and puck pursuit, Olsen scored 18 goals in his second season with the Blades, and scored a pair of goals for Canada at the Under-18’s. He is headed to Colorado College this fall.
76th overall: Mans Gudmundsson (Farjestad BK – SHL) – A third defenseman selected on Day #2, the righty Gudmundsson has size (6’2″, 185 lb), the ability to move the puck, and enjoys the physical side of the game. His stock rose due to a strong second-half performance for Farjestad.
85th overall: Juuso Ainasto (Jokerit Jr./Finland) – Toronto selects a goalie with their last pick in the third. Ainasto is another of the Leafs draftees who came onto the radar with a strong second-half in the Finnish Juniors. The 6’4″, 198 lb. 18-year-old is known for his competitiveness and athleticism.
114th overall:
158th overall:
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