Leafs Make Large Jump In Prospect Rankings

The Toronto Maple Leafs have successfully pivoted in the months after the dismissal of GM Brad Treliving. According to Corey Pronman’s annual prospect pipeline rankings in The Athletic, new GM John Chayka inherited some promising prospects drafted by former Director of Amateur Scouting Mark Leach, and at the 2026 Draft with new Asst. GM Judd Brackett restocked the organizational coffers with a highly regarded draft class headed by top overall pick Gavin McKenna.

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The Leafs were ranked 26th in the NHL last summer, with youngster Matthew Knies at the top of their list of players under the age of 23, and 2023 first-rounder Easton Cowan and 2024 top pick Ben Danford making up the top three. This summer, McKenna is at the top of the list, ranked in the top 20 of league prospects and a high-end top-of-the-lineup player.

2025 second-rounder Tinus-Luc Koblar made a jump to second on the list after playing regularly in the SHL as an 18-year-old and playing very well for Norway at the 2026 IIHF World Juniors and World Championships in May. Another 2026 draftee, Swedish defenseman Måns Gudmundsson, is listed third, mostly because of his size, skating ability, and physicality.

Cowan fell to fourth on the list, but less because of any fall from grace than an overall improvement in the club’s prospect pool. The same goes for Danford, who fell to 12th on the Leafs list after an excellent final season in the OHL and stepping into the AHL for the Marlies in the Calder Cup Playoffs.