Maple Leafs avoid committing to Gavin McKenna after securing No. 1 pick in 2026 NHL Draft

It’s been a wild couple of days for John Chayka and Mats Sundin since being hired as general manager and senior executive advisor of hockey operations, respectively, by the Toronto Maple Leafs. Following the Draft Lottery, the Leafs have secured the No. 1 pick in the 2026 Upper Deck NHL Draft. Even though that means they’ll lose their first-round picks in 2027 and 2028, the good news far outweigh the bad ones as they are in prime position to draft Gavin McKenna.

However, GM Chayka steered away from announcing his organization’s intentions. When asked about the Maple Leafs’ upcoming first overall selection, the 36-year-old executive played his cards close to the chest.

“We haven’t had scouting meetings yet,” Chayka said, as reported by Chris Johnston. “Second day on the job.” Toronto’s cryptic response has built suspense around who will be the first player taken off the board in the 2026 Upper Deck NHL Draft.

Moreover, Chayka’s comment fuels reports around the league that Swedish winger Ivar Stenberg could emerge as the No. 1 pick. That would mean the prospect of a club like the New York Rangers drafting McKenna isn’t off the table, despite the Maple Leafs holding the first overall pick.

John Chayka speaks at a press conference.

Maple Leafs could draft Stenberg

Contrary to what happened in 2023 and 2024 (Connor Bedard and Macklin Celebrini), the 2026 draft class doesn’t have a lock to go first overall. Mostly because neither of the top two prospects are centers. Indeed, McKenna is widely seen as the best player available, but there’s been growing buzz around Stenberg, who has performed well in a professional league (SHL) as a teenager.

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Moreover, the Maple Leafs are now being run by Chayka and Sundin. Many analysts and fans believe that if there’s ever an organization that could lean toward Stenberg, it might be Toronto, which has named Swedish hockey legend Sundin as senior executive advisor of hockey operations.

Crucial decision for Maple Leafs

It seems that whichever prospect the Buds select, they can’t go wrong. Selecting McKenna would be the easier choice. If he doesn’t pan out, the outcry won’t be as loud as it would be if Toronto selects Stenberg and he doesn’t meet expectations.

The Maple Leafs are also in dire need of defensive help in their prospect pipeline, but it feels virtually impossible that they’d take a blueliner first overall. The odds of them trading down aren’t any better, either.

Thus, it seems the choice will come down to McKenna and Stenberg. Perhaps there isn’t even a decision to make. Maybe Toronto has already figured out who it wants, and Chayka is just playing things close to the vest. When it comes to the NHL, nothing is ever that simple.

Ivar Stenberg playing for Sweden’s U-20

McKenna vs. Stenberg: Stats comparison

McKenna spent the 2025-26 season at the NCAA level with the Penn State Nittany Lions. His arrival at the collegiate level shocked the entire hockey landscape, and he didn’t disappoint making an immediate impact. In 35 appearances for the school in State College, McKenna recorded 15 goals and 36 assists for a total of 51 points. His -7 plus/minus and 36 penalty minutes do raise some concerns, though, as does his physicality which was questioned throughout the season.

As for Stenberg, he flew mostly under the radar to fans in North America as he played for Frolunda HC in the Swedish Hockey League (SHL). Still, he put up 33 points (11G, 22A) in 43 games while playing against grown men as an 18-year-old. Stenberg held his ground, and that give him an edge over McKenna, whom many expected to be even more dominant playing against fellow college students.

Both youngsters competed in the 2026 IIHF World Juniors. However, they didn’t meet, as Sweden went all the way to win the gold medal, while Canada fell in the semifinals to Czechia before winning bronze. McKenna finished with a 4-10-14 stat line, whereas Stenberg registered a 4-6-10.