Maple Leafs win 2026 NHL Draft Lottery, will pick number 1 overall

The Toronto Maple Leafs just changed their future in a big way. Toronto has won the NHL Draft Lottery and will hold the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NHL Draft, giving new general manager John Chayka a golden opportunity to reshape the franchise immediately. After being one of the league’s top teams for years, the Leafs had a tough season and now find themselves with a chance at a quick fix.

The Maple Leafs entered the lottery with just an 8.5% chance to land the top pick—the fifth-best odds among the 16 participating teams. But the ping-pong balls fell their way. And now, Toronto controls the top of the draft board.

MORE: New Maple Leafs GM John Chayka not concerned by external doubts

A Potential Franchise Talent Awaits

All signs point to Gavin McKenna as the likely No. 1 selection. The 18-year-old from Whitehorse, Yukon, has emerged as one of the most exciting young talents in hockey. His recent production speaks for itself:

• 15 goals, 36 assists in 35 games at Penn State
• 4 goals, 10 assists in 7 games at the 2026 World Juniors

McKenna also helped lead Canada to a bronze medal, further cementing his status as the top prospect in the class.

A Rare Opportunity in Franchise History

This marks just the third time in franchise history that the Maple Leafs will pick first overall. The previous two selections were historic:

• 1985: Wendel Clark
• 2016: Auston Matthews

Both players became cornerstone figures for the organization. Now, Toronto has another chance to land a franchise-defining talent.