The Toronto Maple Leafs have secured the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NHL Draft after winning the draft lottery on May 5. They will decide between prospects Gavin McKenna and Ivar Stenberg in June.
Key points
Toronto Maple Leafs won the No. 1 overall pick
2026 NHL Draft lottery results announced
Maple Leafs had 8.5% odds to win
Decision between Gavin McKenna and Ivar Stenberg
Draft pick was top five protected
Gavin McKennaIvar StenbergToronto Maple Leafs
NHL draft lottery results: Toronto Maple Leafs will pick No. 1 overall
The Toronto Maple Leafs have been awarded the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NHL Draft.
Now, the question is whether they will take Gavin McKenna or Ivar Stenberg with the top pick. But that's a decision to be made in June.
For now, the Maple Leafs received the right to make that choice by winning the draft lottery on Tuesday, May 5. They had 8.5% odds of landing the top pick and hang onto the pick, which had been dealt but was top five protected.
The draft lottery drawing was conducted in front of cameras for the second year in a row in the NHL Network studio in Secaucus, New Jersey.
The NHL is announcing the finalists for the Hart Trophy and the other major awards. Here's who is in the running (listed alphabetically):
Jack Adams Award (coach) finalist: Tampa Bay Lightning's Jon Cooper
Q&A
What team won the 2026 NHL Draft lottery?
The Toronto Maple Leafs won the 2026 NHL Draft lottery.
What are the odds of the Maple Leafs winning the draft lottery?
The Maple Leafs had an 8.5% chance of winning the draft lottery.
Who are the top prospects for the Maple Leafs to choose from?
The Maple Leafs are considering Gavin McKenna and Ivar Stenberg for the top pick.
When will the Maple Leafs make their pick in the NHL Draft?
The Maple Leafs will make their pick in June during the 2026 NHL Draft.
Related Articles
Sports
Colin Cowherd Explains Why He's Glad Celtics' Season Is Over
Colin Cowherd explains his relief over the Celtics' early playoff exit.
Yahoo Sports··1 min read
Sports·Recap
Carson Tinney’s mammoth grand slam launches No. 4 Texas to 11-8 win over UTSA
Carson Tinney's grand slam leads Texas to an 11-8 win over UTSA!
Yahoo Sports··1 min read
NBA·Recap
Jalen Duren delivers for the Pistons, making plays at both ends of court in key moments against Cavs
Jalen Duren led the Detroit Pistons to a 111-101 victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers, contributing significantly with 11 points, 12 rebounds, and key defensive plays. His performance included three dunks in a crucial stretch that helped break a tie in Game 1 of the second-round series.
Yahoo Sports··1 min read
Sports
Lions still have 2 glaring holes on the roster ahead of 2026 season
Detroit Lions have two key roster gaps as they prepare for the 2026 season.
Yahoo Sports··1 min read
MLB·Recap
Red Sox 10, Tigers 3: Framber Valdez is a spineless scoundrel
Red Sox crush Tigers 10-3 as Valdez gets ejected for poor play
Yahoo Sports··1 min read
Sports
Winners and Losers: Cavs vs Pistons Game 1 – Unforced errors seal their fate
Cavs lose Game 1 to Pistons: turnovers and rotations hurt their chances.
Toronto Maple Leafs: 8.5% (pick traded to Boston but is top 5 protected. If It remains in top 5 after the lottery, Toronto will give up its 2027 or 2028 first-rounder).
There are two drawings, first for a chance at the top pick and then for a chance at the second pick. Winning teams can move up only 10 spots. The last-place team can draft no lower than third overall. Beginning with the 2022 lottery, a team cannot win more than twice in a five-year period. There are 14 ping-pong balls in the machine and each team is assigned a series of four numbers. The lower a team is in the standings, the more series of numbers it gets.