However, the good news may not stop there, as the Maple Leafs could also explore a trade with the Chicago Blackhawks to come away with another top-five pick. Obviously, though, such a move would come at a price. And it’s one the recently formed front office led by John Chayka and Mats Sundin may never be able to live down.

“[The Blackhawks] have had interest in Matthew Knies. I wouldn’t be shocked if they call up John Chayka and say, we want to give you the 4th overall pick and this and this for Knies,” David Pagnotta said during an appearance on Leafs Morning Take.

As it stands, the Maple Leafs own seven picks in the 2026 Upper Deck NHL Draft. By making such a deal with the Blackhawks, they could bolster their draft capital without missing out on McKenna, whose name is already plastered across jerseys throughout the city.

‘Knies’ things aren’t cheap

On paper, a trade could make a lot of sense. The Chicago Blackhawks urgently need someone who can play alongside Connor Bedard on the top line and not look completely out of place. The Hawks have forced square pegs into round holes for far too long. They owe it to their future captain to finally surround him with top, proven weapons. Considering this year’s free-agent class is expected to be historically weak, the trade route appears to be the best option.

On top of that, Bedard has yet to sign an extension. There is little to no concern about losing him to restricted free agency, but a move like this ahead of the 2026 NHL Draft could encourage the 20-year-old to put pen to paper even sooner. Obviously, such a move would also come at a price for Chicago.

Blackhawks have troubled history with Draft

The Blackhawks dropped two spots after the Draft Lottery and reportedly have no clear preference regarding whom to select with the fourth overall pick. There are also growing concerns about some of the organization’s recent top draft selections.

Look no further than the selection of Artyom Levshunov in 2024, when Chicago passed on Beckett Sennecke and Ivan Demidov. The blueliner may still pan out in the Windy City, but his minus-41 rating last season can hardly be deemed a good omen.

Thus, even if it stings, trading the fourth overall pick and additional assets for a proven top-six winger like Knies may not be bad business on Kyle Davidson’s part. Davidson did say, “We’re going to get a really good player,” following the Draft Lottery. If he trades the pick for Knies, he may very well stay true to his word.

Maple Leafs’ perspective

As for the Maple Leafs’ say in the matter, that is where the trouble begins. Toronto may want nothing to do with losing Knies, its second-round pick from 2021. The Arizona native finished third in scoring for the Buds during the 2025-26 season with 23 goals and 43 assists for 66 points in 79 games.

What is more, he has become a fan favorite, and trading him could make Chayka and Sundin no friends in a market that embraces you quickly, but is even quicker to cast you aside.

Why trading Knies could work out for Toronto

From a contract and business standpoint, though, the move could make sense. Knies is the main trade chip the Leafs possess. As Chris Johnston reported, teams may be even more willing to break the piggy bank for Knies than they would for Auston Matthews.

More importantly, Knies is signed through 2031 under a contract that doesn’t include any form of protection. No other star in The Six is signed to a deal like that. It makes things easier both for Toronto to explore the market and for potential suitors to go out of their way to make a trade happen. Beginning next season, Knies will have five years remaining on his $46.5 million contract ($7.75 million AAV).

Potential win-win scenario for Chicago, Toronto

If the Hawks can put together the right offer, who is to say the Leafs will be able to resist? Chicago loses nothing by knocking on Toronto’s door. As for the Buds, they may have more on the line, but they also face the possibility of coming away with Gavin McKenna and one of Ivar Stenberg, Caleb Malhotra, Chase Reid, or Carson Carels, so that is not too shabby either.

There are far worse situations to be in around the NHL. The Draft Lottery has already set the Maple Leafs up for success, and the Blackhawks may toss them yet another lifeline—for a considerable asset in return, of course.

As reported by Elliotte Friedman on Sportsnet, Toronto is expected to reach out to Cassidy. Such a hiring would make much sense after the Maple Leafs explained the firing of Berube following the 2025-26 NHL season. Still, the Buds would first need to be granted permission by the Golden Knights.

That crucial step is one neither the Oilers nor Kings have been able to get past yet. As a result, the two Pacific Division rivals of Vegas remain in the dark regarding their head coaching searches. Moreover, both Edmonton and Los Angeles technically do not have openings at the head coach position. Kris Knoblauch is still under contract in Alberta, while interim coach DJ Smith—who replaced Jim Hiller—remains with the organization in California.

Maple Leafs do have a head coach vacancy

Right from the start, Toronto holds an advantage in that regard, as it actually has a vacancy. The Maple Leafs first fired Berube, and only afterward will they begin talks with available coaches. For all the controversy surrounding the hiring of GM John Chayka in Hogtown, the former Arizona Coyotes executive has operated by the book so far.

Moreover, the Maple Leafs as an organization may also have better luck dealing with the Golden Knights. First and foremost, Toronto is far away in the Atlantic Division, posing little threat to Vegas outside of a potential Stanley Cup Final matchup. Considering how the past season unfolded for Toronto, one could argue the odds of the Buds competing for the Cup anytime soon remain slim.

Toronto gets along better with Vegas than LA and Edmonton

That said, the Maple Leafs did come away with the No. 1 pick in 2026 and reportedly have no concerns about drafting Gavin McKenna, who could make an immediate impact. Secondly, it was less than a year ago that Toronto and Vegas negotiated in good faith to complete the Mitch Marner–Nicolas Roy trade. Indeed, it was Brad Treliving who served as GM and pulled the strings in Ontario, but the Knights may still feel as though they owe something to the Leafs.

Not that such sentiment is common in the NHL—especially not in Sin City, where the Golden Knights have built a reputation as a disruptive organization. Regardless, the Maple Leafs’ front office may look quite different than it did back in July 2025, but it is still the same hockey club.

Plus, the Golden Knights know they cannot block off Cassidy forever. Doing so for too long may cross certain moral boundaries. At some point, they will have to allow teams to interview him, and right now Toronto appears to be the most logical landing spot from Vegas’ perspective. Perhaps giving the Maple Leafs more time to sell its pitch to Cassidy is the perfect way for the Golden Knights to send a message to the Oilers and Kings.

Cassidy has a say in the matter

At the end of the day, though, Cassidy isn’t Vegas’ property. Granted, he has one year remaining on his contract that some team will have to pay, but the Golden Knights can’t keep him under wraps forever. At some point, sooner or later, the NHL will intervene if the blockade persists. When it’s all said and done, it will be Cassidy who chooses where to sign next, and that’s where the Golden Knights’ influence comes to an end.

The longer Vegas keeps Cassidy quarantined from the rest of the league, the greater the odds he seeks revenge by signing with a divisional rival. It’s a risky game the Golden Knights are playing, and for the first time in the city’s history, the house might come away a loser in the Entertainment Capital of the World.

General manager John Chayka addressed the organization’s decision in an official statement released by the team. “Craig is a tremendous coach and an even better person,” Chayka said, via NHL.com.

He also added, “This decision is more reflective of an organizational shift and an opportunity for a fresh start than it is an evaluation of Craig. We are grateful for his leadership, professionalism and commitment to the Maple Leafs organization and wish Craig and his family nothing but the best moving forward.”

The announcement comes after Toronto failed to qualify for the playoffs for the first time since 2016, a major setback for a franchise that entered the season with expectations of remaining among the Eastern Conference contenders.

Maple Leafs searching for new direction after disappointing season

Berube’s dismissal reflects growing pressure within the organization after the team struggled to build momentum following last year’s playoff run. In his first season with Toronto, Berube guided the Maple Leafs to the second round of the playoffs. However, Toronto was unable to carry that postseason momentum into the following year.

The Leafs’ failure to reach the playoffs marked one of the organization’s most disappointing seasons in recent memory, especially considering the expectations surrounding the roster and coaching staff entering the campaign.

Toronto now faces major offseason decisions

With Berube no longer leading the bench, the Maple Leafs now enter a critical offseason that could reshape multiple areas of the organization. The team also confirmed that the next head coach will determine the makeup of the remainder of Toronto’s coaching staff, signaling the possibility of broader structural changes behind the scenes.

Attention will now shift toward who the Maple Leafs select as their next head coach as the franchise attempts to reestablish itself as a legitimate Stanley Cup contender after an unexpected step backward this season.

“I was told by a couple teams, the only reason they were worried about taking McKenna first is if you don’t have a center who can play with him. Is it going to make it harder [on McKenna]? Toronto doesn’t have that problem,” Elliotte Friedman said on the FAN Hockey Show.

Despite reports suggesting McKenna could slide down from No. 1 and land with the New York Rangers, Vancouver Canucks, or another NHL franchise, it seems all but guaranteed that Toronto will use its first overall selection on the talent out of Whitehorse.

McKenna could be perfect move for Toronto

It feels like the perfect complementary move. Drafting McKenna could put a full stop to the noise surrounding Matthews and a potential trade request out of The Six. At the same time, the Leafs can draft McKenna in a heartbeat because they could line him up on Matthews’ wing and expect superb production right from the get-go.

After all, it may take Toronto less than a year to replace Mitch Marner. The former fourth overall pick in 2015 was traded to Vegas on July 1, 2025, and McKenna will most likely be selected first overall on June 26, 2026, at KeyBank Center. A short trip across Niagara Falls and the US-Canada border would then follow for McKenna as he settles into his new life in Toronto.

Matthews’ contract situation

It all makes perfect sense for the Maple Leafs. However, they can’t overlook Matthews’ situation. McKenna’s arrival may ease the pressure for a while, but it won’t last forever. The end goal is always to win the Stanley Cup—for both Matthews and the Maple Leafs. With every passing NHL season in which both fall short of that goal, the buzz surrounding them will only grow louder.

Toronto is officially on the clock, and the pressure is mounting for the Leafs, too. Matthews is set to become an unrestricted free agent in 2028, and he isn’t eligible to sign an extension until July 1, 2027. Thus, the upcoming 2026-27 campaign will be crucial in convincing Matthews that he is in the right place. Maybe McKenna is the X-factor in those conversations.

“There is no player in this Draft that is clear cut, No. 1,” Craig Button said during an appearance on Frankly Hockey. “There just isn’t, in my view. The margins are razor thin.“

If that’s the case, the 2026 NHL Draft could be more of a crapshoot than a sure thing. As a result, the Rangers and Canucks could come away with the most coveted player in the upcoming class—even if he doesn’t end up being selected first overall. The odds may not be in their favor, but both New York and Vancouver know odds can be deceiving. They favored both teams in the Draft Lottery, and everybody knows how that turned out.

Top prospects in 2026 class

Gavin McKenna and Ivar Stenberg are often considered the top—and perhaps only—candidates to be drafted first overall in 2026. However, both are wingers, and that may raise concerns for the Maple Leafs. Centers are more valuable in the NHL, and because of that, a prospect like Caleb Malhotra could be favored by Toronto.

More likely than not, if the Buds settle on Malhotra as “their guy,” they would swap spots on the board with an organization like New York or Vancouver. If the Maple Leafs decide on Stenberg, taking him first overall makes much more sense and wouldn’t be considered nearly as much of a reach—if at all. Still, it would raise eyebrows across Ontario.

Although some Maple Leafs fans have already gone ahead and ordered McKenna jerseys, until the pick is in, anything can happen. It’s no secret the Buds need defensive help more than anything else ahead of the 2026-27 NHL season. If they decide to address that need, prospects like Chase Reid, Carson Carels, and Keaton Verhoeff could all be on their radar.

Leafs could trade down with Rangers, Canucks

The trade route is a very appealing one for the Leafs. If it opens up, the Canucks and Rangers would waste no time sending their offers. Toronto is well aware it could get a king’s ransom—from New York, Vancouver, and even Chicago—to move down a couple of spots. The Maple Leafs may have finished 28th in the league last season, but they are much closer to contention than the Blueshirts, ‘Nucks, and Hawks are. At least on paper they are.

As long as the Leafs have Auston Matthews, they may only be a few pieces away. Those pieces could very well arrive in The Six through a trade involving the No. 1 selection. If they trade down or pass on McKenna, the hardest part to deal with would be the noise within the city. It would follow the Buds through every corner of Toronto.

For John Chayka and Mats Sundin, making such a move just months into their new jobs would certainly send a message. It might even become the kind of decision that lays the foundation for future statues outside Scotiabank Arena—but it could just as easily become the perfect way to speedrun their path to getting fired.

Toronto may not be able to afford such a bet

For Chayka, the stakes are simply too high to take that kind of risk. Even if the organization would rather select Ivar Stenberg, Caleb Malhotra, or a blueliner, drafting McKenna is the only route that won’t have fans lighting torches and marching down Yonge Street calling for their heads.

As things stand, the Maple Leafs hold the fate of the 2026 NHL Draft in their hands. The Rangers and Canucks are behind the eight ball and can only hope to move up the board through a trade. The likelihood of such a move happening depends on who you ask around the league.

Still, for the time being, McKenna is up for grabs. Until the first overall pick is announced at KeyBank Center on June 26, no one can take the beacon of hope away from the Big Apple or Vancity. And who knows? Maybe the entire league is in for a surprise courtesy of the Chayka-Sundin administration in Toronto.

The last time the Maple Leafs drafted first overall? In 2016, when they selected none other than Auston Matthews, who has recently been linked to trade speculation. While drafting McKenna could help change the narrative in Toronto following a rough 2025–26 NHL season, a report suggests the Maple Leafs may still need to show more in order to convince Matthews to stay put.

“Obviously, the first overall pick is a good sign. There’s a lot more that has to happen with respect to [Matthews]. There’s a lot more that has to happen with the Leafs, in terms of what additional moves they’re going to make,” David Pagnotta said during an appearance on Leafs Morning Take. “Across the board, these are all positive signs.”

Maple Leafs have work to do

Not all of the Maple Leafs’ struggles will magically disappear after the 2026 NHL Draft (June 26–27). Some might argue the work is only just beginning for the revamped front office in The Six.

Having a strong free-agency period will be crucial. In the meantime, the Buds will have to keep their heads on a swivel, as a trade request from Matthews could catch them off guard at any moment.

Fortunately for Toronto, four lottery balls made life much easier and allowed the organization to breathe a sigh of relief. If there truly was a serious danger of the captain jumping ship, McKenna appearing on the horizon may have the Maple Leafs shouting, “Land ho!”

Toronto needs more help aside from McKenna

Needless to say, drafting McKenna (or Ivar Stenberg) with the first overall pick would go a long way for the Maple Leafs to bounce back after their 32-36-14 finish in 2025-26. Still, no team that ever finishes in second-to-last place in a conference is just one player away from becoming a Stanley Cup contender. Matthews knows that, so he wants to see his club actually invest to overturn the recent struggles.

Toronto needs help across the board. Trying to convince Maple Leafs fans that drafting McKenna isn’t the right move would be senseless—and probably a lost cause. Still, there’s a legitimate argument to be made that the Buds’ biggest need actually lies on the blue line—and not on the wing, where McKenna makes a living.

The Maple Leafs could certainly use a high-end defensive prospect who could eventually join the team’s top pairing at Scotiabank Arena. Perhaps a right-handed defenseman like Chase Reid would be a perfect fit in Toronto. Had the Leafs landed the No. 2 pick, there might be a more serious debate about that possibility. However, with the first overall selection, the odds of them drafting anyone other than McKenna appear extremely low.

Maple Leafs’ prospects

As things stand, Toronto’s top prospects are winger Easton Cowan, right-shot defenseman Ben Danford, and goaltender Dennis Hildeby. The moment the Buds announce their first-round pick at KeyBank Center in Buffalo, that player will immediately jump to the top of the organization’s prospect rankings—whether it’s McKenna or Stenberg, the two most obvious candidates.

Anything can happen, but it appears GM John Chayka and senior executive advisor of hockey operations Mats Sundin won’t overthink the decision and will instead select the player who has long been considered the consensus No. 1 pick.

“Gavin McKenna won’t be on Team Canada’s roster for the Men’s World Championship. A group decision involving Hockey Canada and McKenna’s representatives feel it’s best to focus on the NHL combine,” Darren Dreger of TSN stated on his X account.

What’s more shocking than the fact McKenna won’t represent the Maple Leaf is that it was a mutual decision between the two parties involved. McKenna’s camp and Hockey Canada believe it’s best for the projected No. 1 pick to stay in North America and prepare for the NHL Combine and Draft.

Maple Leafs may have played a role in decision

Although the Toronto Maple Leafs have avoided committing to McKenna, the Buds’ influence may be showing—especially considering Hockey Canada’s management includes former Maple Leafs GMs Brad Treliving and Kyle Dubas, as well as Jason Spezza, who played for Toronto and served as a special assistant to the GM under Dubas back in 2022–23.

Perhaps the Buds had a hand in keeping McKenna on this side of the Atlantic and safe from potential setbacks or injuries while competing against some of the best players in the world. After all, the Maple Leafs are set to pick first overall for the third time in franchise history in 2026, and they aren’t letting anything throw a wrench in the works.

Maple Leafs history with No. 1 pick in Draft

Although reports hinted that the hiring of John Chayka pushed Auston Matthews further away from the Leafs, winning the 2026 NHL Draft Lottery likely put an end to those concerns. All courtesy of the winning combination: 7-2-11-12. Who needs a rebuild when four lottery balls can land a team with the best prospect in a draft class? Needless to say, every time Toronto has owned the first overall pick, it has worked out just fine.

The Maple Leafs have selected first overall twice in NHL history. The first time came in 1985, when they selected Wendel Clark, who went on to score 260 goals and tally 181 assists for a total of 441 points in 588 appearances for the Buds. The second time Toronto picked first in the NHL Draft was exactly a decade ago, when it selected Matthews, who was coming off a one-year stint in Switzerland’s National League. The current captain and franchise leading goal scorer requires no introduction.

The Buds don’t need the third time to be the charm—just another franchise-saving decision. McKenna might be doing everything by the book, leaving no doubts for the Leafs that he is the right choice at first overall. Still, many fans and analysts would have liked to see McKenna on the international stage, playing alongside the likes of Macklin Celebrini and the star-studded Canadian roster.

McKenna misses Worlds, Stenberg has yet to decide

With the 2026 IIHF World Championship (May 15–31) coming up, it remains to be seen whether Swedish prospect Ivar Stenberg—considered the second-best prospect by most, with some even rating him ahead of McKenna—will join Tre Kronor and represent his home country on the world stage.

Stenberg holds an advantage, as the tournament will be held in Switzerland, meaning he faces a much shorter trip than McKenna would. Perhaps Stenberg can improve his draft stock in the international tournament, so whether McKenna is making the right decision also remains to be seen.

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.

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.

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.

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.

As reported by Joe Fortunato on Blueshirt Banter, the Rangers may have a real shot at trading up in the 2026 NHL Draft. Not with the Maple Leafs, who won’t move an inch from their spot on the board, but with the San Jose Sharks—arguably the biggest winners of the Draft Lottery. New York could send its fifth overall pick, as well as a roster player—perhaps right-handed defenseman Braden Schneider, who fits the bill perfectly for San Jose’s needs—or more.

By moving up to No. 2, the Rangers would be knocking on the door of McKenna. Even though he is widely considered the best prospect in the 2026 class, Swedish forward Ivar Stenberg has been making noise of his own. Being taken off the board first overall is expected for McKenna, but it’s not a lock. A lot can happen before Toronto announces its pick at KeyBank Center on June 26.

For the Rangers, trading up is virtually a must. After dropping two spots and being set to pick at No. 5, the Rangers have multiple potential options, but none as exciting (on paper) as McKenna or Stenberg. If they move up to second overall, New York is guaranteed to come away with one of them. Climbing their way to No. 2 sets up a win-win scenario for the Blueshirts.

Why Sharks could accept such a trade

Indeed, the Maple Leafs won the NHL Draft Lottery—the sun is shining and birds are singing in Toronto. However, the Sharks may be even bigger winners than the Buds. Once again, chance has been on their side. San Jose jumped up nine spots to secure the No. 2 pick—its fourth straight top-five selection.

Having drafted Will Smith, Macklin Celebrini, and Michael Misa with their first picks in the past three years, it’s no secret the Sharks boast one of the best forward groups in the league for years to come. However, San Jose lacks talent on the blue line. It could always add another elite forward prospect, but it might become a headache down the line, especially when the time comes to accommodate Celebrini, Smith, Misa, and a potential addition like McKenna or Stenberg to top-of-the-market deals.

Instead, the safest option seems to be drafting a defenseman, which this class doesn’t lack. By moving down, the Sharks could come away with the best of both worlds by acquiring a current roster player and an exciting defenseman prospect.

Rangers-Sharks trade faces challenge

San Jose’s real concern centers around New York picking fifth. The consensus around the league suggests RHD Chase Reid will be the first blueliner off the board, and the odds of him being available at No. 5 seem low. Keaton Verhoeff may be available, but his size and concerning skating could make for a risky cocktail organizations might opt to steer clear of.

Perhaps San Jose is better off either “reaching” for a defenseman with the second overall pick or trading down with the Vancouver Canucks or Chicago Blackhawks (No. 3 and No. 4, respectively). If the Nucks and Hawks are interested in moving up, it might leave Chris Drury and the Rangers with no choice but to pull out the personal relationship card.

Drury is close friends with Sharks GM Mike Grier, as they were roommates back in college at Boston University. Moreover, the two have a history of working together in the NHL. With Drury’s seat getting hot in the Big Apple, his good ol’ friend in the Capital of Silicon Valley could come to his rescue.

Rangers will try everything

All in all, a lot can happen in the coming weeks leading up to the 2026 Upper Deck NHL Draft. Obviously, for the Blueshirts to draft McKenna, they’d need the Maple Leafs to pass on him. It’s improbable, but not impossible. If that happens, the Rangers must give themselves a shot by being in the right place at the right time.

Fortunately for New York, it has friends in high places. What luck hasn’t given the Rangers, they could make up for by working some magic.

Moreover, the Maple Leafs traded a conditional first-round pick in 2027 to the Philadelphia Flyers in a trade involving Scott Laughton. “The first-rounder [the Leafs] sent to the Bruins for Carlo will slide to 2028, and the first-round pick the Flyers got for Laughton in 2027 is now unprotected,” as stated by reporter Jackie Spiegel.

Though giving up two first-rounders is far from an ideal scenario for the Maple Leafs, selecting first overall in 2026 may make up for it all. With reports suggesting the hiring of Mats Sunding and John Chayka pushes Auston Matthews further away, the news of the No. 1 pick in the upcoming draft could change everything.

Maple Leafs couldn’t have asked for better outcome

Still, that’s all talk about the future. All Maple Leafs fans care about is that their team just won the Draft Lottery. Although their odds dropped to 4.5% after the first two balls were drawn, the Buds pulled off an improbable comeback to secure the first overall pick.

The winning combination was 7-2-11-12. Now, the Leafs will select first overall for the first time since drafting Auston Matthews in 2016. Exactly a decade later, the Buds get another shot at revamping their squad. Perhaps it’s just what Toronto needed to convince its captain to stay and truly become a Stanley Cup contender.

Toronto’s luck in the NHL Draft Lottery must be studied. In the last 10 years, the Buds have missed the Stanley Cup Playoffs twice and they’ve come away with the first overall selection both times.

When is the 2026 NHL Draft?

The 2026 NHL Upper Deck Draft will take place June 26–27 at KeyBank Center in Buffalo. In the home of their despised cross-border rivals, the Maple Leafs may change the course of their franchise forever. How fitting.

The Maple Leafs are officially on the clock as they make up their minds. Gavin McKenna or Ivar Stenberg—that is the question. On their first day on the job, Sundin and Chayka already hold the future of the organization in their hands.

“Matthews still isn’t sure if he’ll be back in Toronto in the fall, according to league sources. That remains the case after Chayka and Mats Sundin were hired to run a revamped front office,” as reported by Chris Johnston on The Athletic.

Chayka is the third GM Matthews will have worked with on the Leafs. When Kyle Dubas and Brad Treliving were hired, Matthews signed extensions on relatively short notice with the Buds. The third time may not be the charm, though.

Matthews may ask out

As much as Matthews loves being the captain of the highest-valued organization in the league, he wants to win a Stanley Cup. He will turn 29 before the 2026–27 NHL campaign, and the championship window may be narrower than it’s ever been since he arrived in Toronto.

Since being drafted first overall in 2016, Matthews and the Maple Leafs have been through a lot. However, they’ve never made it past the second round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. In 2026, Matthews and the Buds failed to make the postseason—for the first time in the captain’s career.

As much as the front office may try to convince fans and players otherwise, hoisting Lord Stanley in the near future looks virtually impossible for the Buds. Coming off a deflating campaign in which Toronto finished 28th in the NHL standings, Matthews has reason to believe his time in Hogtown has reached its end.

Matthws’ contract situation with Maple Leafs

Matthews agreed to a four-year, $53 million extension in Toronto back in 2023, only months after Treliving was hired as GM. Under his contract, Matthews is signed through the 2027–28 NHL season. That should keep Chayka and the Maple Leafs calm, but it’s not that simple.

Matthews is signed to a full no-movement clause, but if he asks out, the Maple Leafs will essentially have no choice but to listen to offers and send Matthews to a place of his preference. There were concerns about Matthews wanting to leave Toronto, and the hiring of Chayka as GM and Mats Sundin as senior executive advisor of hockey operations may send the wrong message.

Things have changed for Matthews and the Leafs

Matthews put pen to paper on his contract when things were looking very different in the Six. The captain may not be as excited about the hiring of Chayka, which raised eyebrows due to the executive’s controversial history in the league and scandals surrounding his time with the Arizona Coyotes, who are now the Utah Mammoth.

Chayka has much to do with that relocation and rebranding. If Matthews is indeed pushed away due to Chayka’s hiring, he holds his fate in his hands. The Maple Leafs may be falling behind the eight ball.

Far from clearing all doubts and concerns, the Maple Leafs may have put an iceberg right in front of them. Matthews could jump ship before it’s too late.