- Round 1, 1st Overall: Gavin McKenna, LW, Penn State (NCAA)
- Round 2, 60th Overall: Alexander Bilecki, LD, Kitchener Rangers (OHL)
- Round 3, 69th Overall: Ethan MacKenzie, LD, Edmonton Oil Kings (WHL)
- Round 3, 73rd Overall: Zach Olsen, RW, Saskatoon Blades (WHL)
- Round 3, 76th Overall: Måns Gudmundsson, RD, Färjestad BK U20 (Nationell)
- Round 3, 85th Overall: Jusso Ainasto, G, Jokerit U20 (SM-sarja)
- Round 4, 114th Overall: Patriks Plumins, G, Zemgale (Latvia)
- Round 5, 158th Overall: Cooper Williams, C, Saskatoon Blades (WHL)
- Round 6, 161st Overall: Yaroslav Fedoseyev, RD, Chelmet Chelyabinsk (VHL)
- Round 6, 169th Overall: Brody Pepoy, RW, Saginaw Spirit (OHL)
- Final Grade
The 2026 NHL Draft is officially in the books and the Toronto Maple Leafs definitely needed to bolster their prospect pool.
It was a weak pipeline overall and it was up to general manager John Chayka and the scouting staff to try and fix it. They did just that as he quickly restocked it with a whole lot of quality talent and depth for the future. A day after drafting Gavin McKenna, the Leafs kicked off their second day with the 60th pick and a slew of third-round selections.
The Maple Leafs really made their picks count with those selections, addressing a number of needs; compete, energy, upside and of course, defense as they took four defenders. Here’s a look at the 2026 Draft class for them.
Round 1, 1st Overall: Gavin McKenna, LW, Penn State (NCAA)
It was a given that the Maple Leafs would be selecting McKenna first overall. Even though he had an average first half– because of the transition from the Western Hockey League to the NCAA– he turned on the jets with his production and consistency in the second half, finishing with 51 points in 35 games.
They got the player with the best offensive skillset and highest ceiling as he can be an elite level playmaker in the NHL. His deceptive creativity and playmaking vision stands out above the rest. The way he’s able to manipulate situations in the offensive zone, draw players in and open things up is when he’s at his best. He shows great patience, slowing the play down, assessing his options and quickly striking when an opening presents itself. He’s not afraid to shoot the puck as he’s especially dangerous on his off-wing.
The consistency on the defensive side of the game still needs to grow, but he has shown that he’s willing to improve and show that he can do whatever it takes to win. He’s mentioned loving the pressure and making everyone around him better. Going to a team with a number of stars should take some pressure off him and allow him to play his game and get comfortable at the NHL level.
Round 2, 60th Overall: Alexander Bilecki, LD, Kitchener Rangers (OHL)
I’m a big Bilecki fan and even though he was playing third-pairing minutes, the potential and upside is very evident in his game. The offensive production may not show it as he had 29 points in 66 games, but he had a better point per game rate with 0.61 in the Ontario Hockey League playoffs (11 points in 18 games) to help the Kitchener Rangers win the championship along with the Memorial Cup where he had three assists in four games.
Bilecki is a very smooth, mobile and agile skater, being a strong breakout and transitional defender with his passing and control. He’s always showing great confidence and poise when in control to make plays when he has the puck while also getting out of high pressure situations. His defensive game needs work, but there is promise. He’s strong and competitive in one-on-one and rush situations and has an active stick to break up plays while transitioning quickly to offense. He can keep players to the outside well and doesn’t give up a lot of space in the middle of the ice.
Bilecki saw limited ice time on a deep team, but elevated minutes and more responsibilities next season could improve his value as a prospect. He says that he’s a winner and wants to continue that trend with the Maple Leafs.
Round 3, 69th Overall: Ethan MacKenzie, LD, Edmonton Oil Kings (WHL)
After drafting a mobile, two-way defender in Bilecki, the Maple Leafs continued to go down that route with MacKenzie. He was passed over twice previously, but really found a balance in his game this season with the Oil Kings scoring 22 goals and finishing with 58 points.
MacKenzie provides a great balance of offense and defense. He’s great at transporting the puck in transition as he’s a strong skater with great control and pace. He has a great burst of speed to cut to the outside on the rush and then cut back to the middle to get the inside track. He has great puck protection skills, can get into shooting lanes well and does a great job to make strong heads up plays with his passing and playmaking. Defensively, he has a great awareness, shows great positioning, strong gap control and has the ability to smother puck carriers and negate plays.
Given how he’s an over-ager, it’s a great bet for the Maple Leafs to make as he has great qualities on both sides of the puck.
Round 3, 73rd Overall: Zach Olsen, RW, Saskatoon Blades (WHL)
One of the picks acquired in a trade for Brandon Carlo, the Maple Leafs selected a forward that’s a real pain to go up against. I had him as an option with the 69th pick, but I’m glad this still worked out.
Olsen is as competitive and aggressive as they come and shows it every single shift. He can be physical as he can make big time hits, but also has some offensive upside to his game. He’s constantly in attack mode on the forecheck and hounds the puck in order to win battles and get to those danger areas on the ice. He has a great set of hands in traffic and does a great job to get pucks on net or set up plays. He’s a player that knows his role and will execute that every time while bringing an edge and tenacity in the process.
Round 3, 76th Overall: Måns Gudmundsson, RD, Färjestad BK U20 (Nationell)
While I was lower on Gudmundsson, this is still a very great pick. Although he may not be a point producer at the next level, he does have some offensive upside with his passing and breakout play. He had 25 points in 35 games last season and four assists in seven games for Sweden, winning gold at the World U18 Championship.
Gudmundsson’s strength lies in his strong and defensive game. He’s great at defending rushes and taking away passing lanes while also providing a strong and physical element to his game. He has an active stick and great reach to break up plays and can push players off the puck easily. He’s a towering defender at 6-foot-3, 185 pounds, but he moves well for his size in transporting the puck.
Round 3, 85th Overall: Jusso Ainasto, G, Jokerit U20 (SM-sarja)
The Maple Leafs continued to add to their growing goaltending depth by selecting Jusso Ainasto. I’ll admit I didn’t have him on my radar for goalies, but he did put up decent numbers in the U18 SM-sarja. He had a .938 save percentage and 1.74 goals against average and in the U20 level, he had a .892 SV% and 3.28 GAA. The Maple Leafs have made bets on goalies in the past and this could work out.
Round 4, 114th Overall: Patriks Plumins, G, Zemgale (Latvia)
If you aren’t aware of the story of Patriks Plumins, you should go back and watch his performance at the World U18 Championship where he backstopped Latvia to their best finish at the tournament. He had a .947 SV% and took home best goalie honours.
Plumins already has a great frame as he stands tall in goal at 6-foot-4, 214 pounds. He’s positionally sound and is very composed in net. He tracks the puck very well and has strong reflexes in goal while also displaying great lateral movements. He squares up to shooters very well and does a great job to aggressively challenge them. Latvia has a history of producing great goalies and Plumins could be the next one in line.
Round 5, 158th Overall: Cooper Williams, C, Saskatoon Blades (WHL)
After taking Olsen two rounds earlier, the Maple Leafs take his teammate in Cooper Williams. He posted back-to-back 57-point seasons with the Saskatoon Blades and represented Canada at the Hlinka Gretzky Cup.
Williams is an extremely effective two-way centre that likes to make his presence felt with and without the puck. He shows great awareness when he’s in attack mode, pressuring forwards, forcing turnovers and disrupting plays while transitioning quickly to offense. He has great smarts and displays great attention to detail defensively, being in position and responsible with his assignments. He has a great shot and always puts himself in the right spot to pounce on quality scoring opportunities.
The Maple Leafs need some depth bodies up the middle of the ice and Williams could be a very effective bottom-six centre in the future.
Round 6, 161st Overall: Yaroslav Fedoseyev, RD, Chelmet Chelyabinsk (VHL)
Fedoseyev spent time in both the MHL and VHL while posting decent results offensively. He had 13 points in 24 games in the MHL, while adding a goal and five assists in the 25 VHL games. The 6-foot-1, 188-pound defender isn’t known for his offensive production as he plays a reliable and steady defensive game while bringing a physical element to make big time hits.
Round 6, 169th Overall: Brody Pepoy, RW, Saginaw Spirit (OHL)
With their last pick in the draft, the Maple Leafs selected Pepoy from the Spirit. The 6-foot-1, 173-pound winger put up 29 points in 67 games and definitely kind of rounded out the theme of the Maple Leafs’ draft vision.
Pepoy has a motor that doesn’t quit, constantly buzzing and making his presence known to disrupt plays and using his offensive skillset to attack and create plays. He’s a battler in the tough areas and does have some skill to go along with it. He does a great job to fend of defenders as he attacks the middle. He has soft hands, a good shot and is tough to stop as he’s always in motion.
Final Grade
This being Chayka’s first draft, he did a great job to help bolster the Maple Leafs’ prospect pool. Coming away with the top player in McKenna and a number of great selections in the mid-round portion of the draft could pay off. They really made the second and third-round picks count and the later round selections of Williams and Pepoy have some potential as they both have the skill, work ethic and upside.
Grade: A+
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