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How good is Gavin McKenna? Enough to change everything for Maple Leafs with 1st pick
TL;DR
Gavin McKenna is the frontrunner for the No. 1 pick in the 2026 NHL Draft, recently confirmed for the Toronto Maple Leafs. While he is favored, the team could also consider Swedish winger Ivar Sternberg.
Key points
- Gavin McKenna is a top prospect for the 2026 NHL Draft
- Toronto Maple Leafs have the first overall pick
- Ivar Sternberg is another potential pick for the team
Gavin McKennaIvar SternbergToronto Maple Leafs
How good is Gavin McKenna? Enough to change everything for Maple Leafs with 1st pick originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Gavin McKenna has been viewed as the most likely No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NHL Draft for multiple years now.
Only on Tuesday night did the hockey world find out who'd get to make that pick: the Toronto Maple Leafs.
It's not a guarantee they pick McKenna -- they could choose Swedish winger Ivar Sternberg -- but it sure seems like McKenna would be the favorite here.
The Canadian kid to go to Toronto to be the savior? Sounds just about perfect.
Not all first overall picks are created equal, though. The good news for the Leafs is that McKenna's talent is about as good as it gets in this slot.
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How good is Gavin McKenna?
McKenna is one of the top NHL Draft prospects in recent memory.
He was so good at the junior level that it was a shocking, unprecedented decision for him to go play a year in the NCAA ranks at Penn State. And then after taking a little while to get rolling there, McKenna proved he was one of the best players in the country even as a teenager playing against guys a few years older than him, at least.
Q&A
Why is Gavin McKenna considered the top prospect for the 2026 NHL Draft?
Gavin McKenna has been viewed as the most likely No. 1 overall pick for several years due to his impressive skills and performance.
What team has the first pick in the 2026 NHL Draft?
The Toronto Maple Leafs have secured the first pick in the 2026 NHL Draft.
Who else could the Maple Leafs draft besides Gavin McKenna?
The Maple Leafs could also consider Swedish winger Ivar Sternberg as an alternative to McKenna.
