Gavin McKenna goes first overall to Toronto Maple Leafs in 2026 NHL Draft
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The 2026 NHL Draft kicked off Friday night at KeyBank Center in Buffalo, home of the Buffalo Sabers, and while drafts usually have their share of surprises, the first overall pick was not a pick.
The Toronto Maple Leafs “earned” the top pick after a terrible 2025-26 season and used it to draft Penn State star Gavin McKenna.
The 18-year-old from Whitehorse, Yukon has been viewed as the top player in the 2026 NHL Draft class for years at this point.
COURT DOCUMENT SHOWS: TOP NHL PROSPECT GAVIN MCKENNA CHARGED WITH ASSAULT IN INCIDENT IN PENN DOWNTOWN
The Toronto Maple Leafs selected Penn State’s Gavin McKenna with the first overall pick in the 2026 NHL Draft. (Photo: Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
But despite new Leafs GM John Chayka meeting with McKenna at his home, the team remained tight-lipped about its decisions.
But after all, he was always going to be the first to hear Justin Bieber’s name this year, before he made a strange announcement.
Maybe skip the review next time, Biebs.
Still, the choice stands: Gavin McKenna is a Toronto Maple Leaf.
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The Leafs definitely have some needs to address. Their goal orientation is questionable (although it’s hard to fix this quickly in the draft) and the blue line may need to be made a little bigger. This draft featured many players who could help in this regard; these included Albert Smits of Europe and Chase Reid of the OHL’s Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds.
But ultimately, McKenna is the kind of extremely talented player you’d get no matter what your needs are.
He scored 51 points (15G, 36A) in just 35 games at Penn State last season, so even if he’s not a top-flight winger, he’ll help fill out the Leafs’ second or third line very nicely.
Gavin McKenna (left) poses with singer Justin Bieber, who announced his selection to the Toronto Maple Leafs. ((Photo: Bruce Bennett/Getty Images))
McKenna will need to make a quick impact as the team looks to quickly turn things around under new coach Jim Hiller, and he will have to do so under pressure.
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But he can handle it. She’s faced tons of attention throughout her career so far and has even had some significant distractions off the ice Having a solid freshman season and setting himself up nicely to become the No. 1 pick.
After McKenna, the San Jose Sharks selected Swede Ivar Stenberg with the 2nd pick, while the Vancouver Canucks selected Caleb Malhotra, former NHLer and son of current Canucks coach Manny Malhotra, with the 3rd pick.
