Maple Leafs Prepare for First Overall Pick
The Toronto Maple Leafs are set to make the first overall selection in the upcoming NHL draft, which will take place in Buffalo, New York. The draft begins with the first round on Friday night. Following the Maple Leafs, the San Jose Sharks are scheduled to pick second, marking their second consecutive year with that position. The Vancouver Canucks, Buffalo Sabres, and New York Rangers will follow in the draft order.
Among the top prospects, Gavin McKenna, a right wing from Penn State/NCAA, is widely expected to be chosen first by the Maple Leafs. McKenna, who turned 18 in December, hails from Whitehorse, Yukon. He has been considered a top prospect for his age group for two years, consistently meeting expectations. Last year, he transitioned from the Western Hockey League to the older and more physical competition of the NCAA.
After an inconsistent start, McKenna scored 32 of his 51 points in his final 17 games, tying for fourth nationally in scoring. He was recognized as the Big Ten’s freshman of the year and a two-time national rookie of the month, in addition to being a Hobey Baker Award finalist. During his time with Medicine Hat, McKenna accumulated 79 goals and 244 points in 133 career games. In 2025, he became the third-youngest player to receive CHL David Branch Player of the Year honours, a distinction previously held by Sidney Crosby and John Tavares.
McKenna has the opportunity to become only the sixth Yukon-born player drafted and the highest pick from the region, surpassing Dylan Cozens, who was chosen seventh by Buffalo in 2019. He is also a distant cousin by marriage to Connor Bedard, who was the No. 1 pick in 2023.
Prospects with High Hockey IQ and Skill
According to NHL Central Scouting, McKenna demonstrates exceptional poise and maturity, coupled with a high hockey IQ that allows him to control play. He is projected as a player with professional-level pace and vision, capable of driving a line and elevating the performance of his teammates. His game is heavily oriented towards offence, leading to projections of high point totals in the NHL, particularly on the power play. If he joins the Maple Leafs and plays alongside their star players, his production could increase significantly, potentially reaching 100 points in his prime.
Another prominent forward prospect is Ivar Stenberg, a left wing from Frolunda/Swedish Elite League. Stenberg, who turned 18 in September, led all teenagers in Sweden’s top league with 11 goals and 33 points in 43 games. His 33 points ranked fifth among players 18 or younger, a group that includes Daniel and Henrik Sedin. In January, Stenberg was part of Sweden’s gold medal-winning team at the world junior championships, where his 10 points tied for fifth-most in tournament history. His brother, Otto Stenberg, was selected 25th overall by St. Louis in the 2023 draft.
Stenberg’s blend of speed, quick first steps, and balance makes him a dynamic skater who can both create and finish plays. Despite still developing physically, his competitive drive and confidence make him effective in board battles and transition play. His well-rounded skill set and professional experience suggest a greater five-on-five impact, especially early in his career, and he could potentially outproduce McKenna in his initial seasons, leading to multiple point-per-game seasons.
Caleb Malhotra, a centre from Brantford/OHL, is also considered a top prospect. He is regarded as the best centre in the draft class and could be a high pick, possibly even No. 1. Malhotra, who turned 18 on June 2, finished second among OHL rookies with 84 points in 67 games and led all rookies in playoff scoring with 26 points in 15 games. His father, Manny Malhotra, is a 16-year NHL veteran and currently coaches the Vancouver Canucks. Malhotra’s mother, Joann, is the sister of two-time NBA MVP Steve Nash.
Malhotra is described as a player suitable for any situation, playing a professional style with high-end skills, work habits, and competitiveness. For him to achieve high-level production, his game will need significant changes, particularly in skating fluidity. Technical refinements could enhance his potential, transforming him into a productive two-way centre capable of 70-point seasons.
Defensive Talent and Other Key Forwards
The draft class also features strong defensive prospects. Chase Reid, a defenceman from Sault Ste. Marie/OHL, is considered a top-5 selection and a potential No. 1 candidate. Reid, who turned 18 in December, finished second among OHL blue liners with an average of 1.07 points per game, recording 18 goals and 30 assists in 45 outings. He missed 17 games due to injury but returned for the playoffs. Reid began his career as a forward before transitioning to defence.
NHL Central Scouting describes Reid as a take-charge defenceman who dictates the game, is not afraid to play physically, and represents a complete package. Another defensive talent, Alberts Smits from Munchen/German Elite League, turned 18 in December. Smits played in two professional leagues and represented Latvia at the Milan Cortina Games. He had 13 points in 17 games for Jukurit in Finland and closed the season with Munchen, where he recorded two goals and six points in 10 playoff games. He also had two assists in four games at the Olympics. Smits has a chance to be the highest-picked Latvian-born player, surpassing Zemgus Girgensons, who was selected 14th in 2012.
Keaton Verhoeff, a defenceman from North Dakota/NCAA, who turned 18 on June 19, could be selected as high as No. 4 by Buffalo and might be the first blue-liner chosen. He led draft-eligible NCAA defencemen with 20 points, including six goals and 14 assists. Verhoeff made the jump from the WHL’s Victoria, where he led the league among rookie defencemen with 21 goals in 63 games the previous season. He started as a goalie before switching to defence at 11.
In terms of forward talent, Björck and Belchetz also show promise, though their offensive projections are harder to predict. They acted primarily as supporters during their draft season, with fewer high-end offensive flashes compared to other top prospects. Their impact may depend more on their roles and teammates. However, both have shown flashes of top-six calibre skills, with Björck at the J20 level and Belchetz when tasked with driving his own line, separate from Liam Greentree. These performances suggest they could become top-end scorers within their teams.
The two-day NHL draft will be held in Buffalo, New York, starting with the first round on Friday night.
Source: eliteprospects.com
