Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-Imagn Images | Dan Hamilton-Imagn Images When the Toronto Maple Leafs signed Michael Pezzetta during the 2025 offseason, the move was viewed as a depth addition aimed at bringing more toughness and energy to the bottom-six. The Maple Leafs had consistently been criticized for lacking physicality and emotion in key moments, and Pezzetta represented the type of player who Craig Berube has always appreciated throughout his coaching and playing career. His willingness to finish checks and stand up for teammates made him an intriguing fit for Toronto’s fourth line. Pezzetta signed in Toronto after spending four seasons with the Montreal Canadiens organization, where he became a favourite to many because of his physical brand of hockey. The Toronto native has never been known to score you a bunch of points, but plays an important factor into every shift he is on the ice. When the Maple Leafs signed him, the expectation was never for Pezzetta to be an everyday player with the organization, but rather someone who could add depth and spark the lineup whenever called upon. Michael Pezzetta's stats during the 2025-26 season Pezzetta appeared in just nine games for the Maple Leafs during the 2025-26 season, failing to record a point while averaging limited ice time in a fourth-line role. He was used strictly at the end of the season, when the Maple Leafs were out of playoff contention, and had traded away key players in their lineup. During his nine appearances with the Maple Leafs, Pezzetta was a minus six and tallied 35 penalty minutes. With the Toronto Marlies, Pezzetta played a much higher role within the team. Pezzetta quickly became a leader in the locker room, paving the way for the younger players. He suited up in 39 games for the Marlies this season, recording five goals and six assists for 11 points, while rocking a minus six, with 52 penalty minutes. Pezzetta had a difficult time getting a chance with the Maple Leafs this season. Up until the Olympic break, Craig Berube believed there was still a chance for the Maple Leafs to get into the postseason, just trailing the second wild-card spot by six points. When the Maple Leafs quickly went on a losing streak post-break, the narrative switched fast, which led to Pezzetta's opportunity with the NHL squad. Did Michael Pezzetta live up to expectations? Given the expectations surrounding Pezzetta's signing, it is difficult to say whether he disappointed or exceeded expectations, because they were fairly low from the beginning of the season. When Pezzetta was with the NHL team, I would say he did a good job and played exactly the way the Maple Leafs were hoping for. Pezzetta was never going to be a player who would show up on the scoreboard. In his first appearance with the Maple Leafs, he dropped the gloves and showed fans what he was here to do. In his little time with the Maple Leafs, I would say, he did a fairly good job. At the same time, Toronto likely hoped Pezzetta could push for a more consistent role throughout the season, especially considering the team’s struggles at different stages of the campaign. With the AHL team, he never pushed himself or got into an elevated role to have Berube and the rest of the coaching staff feel that we need him in the NHL to turn the tide. Instead, he remained a passenger on a good Marlies team, leaving it nearly impossible to get his chance with the Maple Leafs. It is also fair to assume that if the Maple Leafs did not become sellers at the trade deadline, Pezzetta would have never gotten his chance in the NHL this season. What can we expect from Michael Pezzetta next season? I believe Maple Leafs fans can expect to see the same from Pezzetta next season. If he is called up to the Maple Leafs at points during the season, Leafs fans should buckle up and be ready to see the same intensity and action as they did this year. With John Chayka and Mats Sundin now leading the front office, Toronto is expected to make several changes to the roster, leaving Pezzetta likely out of the picture heading into the start of the 2026-27 season. The Maple Leafs are focused on getting younger, faster, and more structured, which will make it difficult for Pezzetta to gain a role within the lineup. Pezzetta is also set to enter the final season of his contract, which could lead to the Maple Leafs just deciding to assign him to the Marlies. Pezzetta can play a key role in the success of the Marlies next season, as the AHL will always provide opportunities for players like these. Pezzetta brings a lot of energy and physicality to any lineup he is in, which will always be of value to a contending roster.

Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images | Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images Former Toronto Maple Leaf Mitch Marner has been having the most playoff success of his career with the Vegas Golden Knights in 2025-26. After a slow regular season, where Marner at times looked disjointed, he has finally found his footing at the most important time of the season, scoring nine points in the team's first seven contests between the Anaheim Ducks and the first-round matchup with the Seattle Kraken. Marner is likely to surpass his career high of 13 points in a single playoff run, which came during the 2024-25 run, when the Maple Leafs lost to the Florida Panthers in game seven of the second round. Mitch Marner's strong performance as of late Mitch Marner seems to be showing up on the highlight reels, seemingly every game. I'm not sure whether this is because Maple Leafs fans don't want to see their former top five pick succeed, or whether he has actually been playing this well. Over the past two contests, he has recorded five points, with two of those being goals, while also rocking a +5 over those two games. Marner has then taken over the point lead for Vegas, sitting at the top alongside former Stanley Cup Champion Jack Eichel. Mitch Marner's regular-season falter can be chalked up and left in the side burners, as many of the Golden Knights players also struggled to produce at the rate we are used to. They fired head coach Bruce Cassidy with just one week remaining in the campaign, leading to changes in the way they played under John Tortorella, which has helped Marner mightily. Over the past nine seasons, the Maple Leafs have not been able to get this kind of performance out of Marner, for which reason nobody is quite sure; however, what he is doing with the Golden Knights has clearly been working. Consistency throughout the postseason for Marner Marner has also registered a point in each of the team's seven games, except for just one coming on April 24th. The Maple Leafs struggled mightily this season, finishing at the bottom of the Atlantic Division, just one season after Marner's departure. The Maple Leafs are now working on retooling their roster to get back to the level the team was at while they had superstar winger Mitch Marner. If Marner's play continues, Maple Leafs fans are going to be sitting here wondering what went wrong in Toronto, and why he couldn't have played to a similar level when it mattered most.

andatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-Imagn Images | Dan Hamilton-Imagn Images The Maple Leafs' season was filled with disaster from the very beginning as they finished dead last in the Atlantic Division and one spot ahead of the New York Rangers in the entire Eastern Conference. For a team that has little to no prospects and not a lot of draft capital over the course of the next two years, this was a gift from the hockey gods that the Maple Leafs desperately needed. Auston Matthews' future still dominates the headlines The Maple Leafs' first overall pick selection has been making waves on the media front, and has softened the Auston Matthews rumours just a touch. It was reported that Matthews wasn't sure if he was ready to commit to the Toronto Maple Leafs past his contract, which expires in 2028, and he may be out as early as before next season. While gaining the first overall pick doesn't likely change all of Matthews' feelings, it sheds a lighter mood on where the Maple Leafs are heading. What the Toronto Maple Leafs cannot do is trade their first overall selection for a package of either players or picks, who you hope will play a key role in their success next season, to make the Maple Leafs captain happy. At this stage of Matthews' career and the current state of the team, you can't make a move to make him happy. If he is not willing to commit, these decisions have to be made by John Chayka and Mats Sundin; otherwise, it will continue to backfire on the organization, especially if Matthews decides to leave. Maple Leafs are likely not contenders next season With the stage the Maple Leafs are in, no matter what they do this offseason, it is still very unlikely they will be able to contend for a Stanley Cup next season. I do believe it is very possible for the Maple Leafs to make the postseason with the roster they currently have; however, it will be difficult to become a true contender in just one season. The Maple Leafs need to use their first-round selection to pick the player who can help them the most moving forward. Their cup window, depending on what they do this offseason, can open as early as heading into the 2027-28 season, making Auston Matthews' opinion irrelevant. The Toronto Maple Leafs need to do what's best for the organization at this point. The understanding to many at this point is that Matthews needs some convincing, but, at the same time, a lot of people need convincing on Auston Matthews, with how the past two seasons have transpired. Time will tell what the Maple Leafs will do with their first overall pick; however, their best option would be to keep it and build around either Gavin McKenna or Ivar Stenberg moving forward. The Toronto Maple Leafs were awarded a gift on Tuesday, as they won the 2026 NHL Draft Lottery. The Maple Leafs' season was filled with disaster from the very beginning as they finished dead last in the Atlantic Division and one spot ahead of the New York Rangers in the entire Eastern Conference. For a team that has little to no prospects and not a lot of draft capital over the course of the next two years, this was a gift from the hockey gods that the Maple Leafs desperately needed. Auston Matthews' future still dominates the headlines The Maple Leafs' first overall pick selection has been making waves on the media front, and has softened the Auston Matthews rumours just a touch. It was reported that Matthews wasn't sure if he was ready to commit to the Toronto Maple Leafs past his contract, which expires in 2028, and he may be out as early as before next season. While gaining the first overall pick doesn't likely change all of Matthews' feelings, it sheds a lighter mood on where the Maple Leafs are heading. What the Toronto Maple Leafs cannot do is trade their first overall selection for a package of either players or picks, who you hope will play a key role in their success next season, to make the Maple Leafs captain happy. At this stage of Matthews' career and the current state of the team, you can't make a move to make him happy. If he is not willing to commit, these decisions have to be made by John Chayka and Mats Sundin; otherwise, it will continue to backfire on the organization, especially if Matthews decides to leave. Maple Leafs are likely not contenders next season With the stage the Maple Leafs are in, no matter what they do this offseason, it is still very unlikely they will be able to contend for a Stanley Cup next season. I do believe it is very possible for the Maple Leafs to make the postseason with the roster they currently have; however, it will be difficult to become a true contender in just one season. The Maple Leafs need to use their first-round selection to pick the player who can help them the most moving forward. Their cup window, depending on what they do this offseason, can open as early as heading into the 2027-28 season, making Auston Matthews' opinion irrelevant. The Toronto Maple Leafs need to do what's best for the organization at this point. The understanding to many at this point is that Matthews needs some convincing, but, at the same time, a lot of people need convincing on Auston Matthews, with how the past two seasons have transpired. Time will tell what the Maple Leafs will do with their first overall pick; however, their best option would be to keep it and build around either Gavin McKenna or Ivar Stenberg moving forward.

Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images | Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images It is no secret by now that the Toronto Maple Leafs have hired the newest duo to run the front office, with John Chayka taking over as the general manager and Mats Sundin as the Maple Leafs senior executive advisor. The pair have a lot of work to do to get the Maple Leafs back to the team we are all accustomed to; however, this one player does not seem to be on the move anytime soon. As the Maple Leafs begin their preparation for the NHL Draft, where they were awarded the first overall pick and free agency with an emphasis on getting better, they will have to do a deep analysis of the roster currently, and who they best see fit moving forward. One player who has been circled in trade rumours throughout the regular season was Max Domi. The Toronto native struggled mightily at times this season and may not have a set role within the lineup next year. Max Domi's rocky season with the Maple Leafs Domi has an average annual value of $3.7 million, which ranks among the top five among Maple Leafs forwards. Domi did not play anywhere near that status this season, as he bounced throughout the lineup, even coming close to being a healthy scratch twice during the latter part of November, bleeding into early December. While a resurgence saw Domi get back to his game in January, this was short-lived as he quickly began to struggle once again as the season came to a close. With Mats Sundin playing in an important role within the Maple Leafs organization, it is tough to see Domi on the way out. The Domi and Sundin families are extremely close, with Tie Domi and Mats playing together for a long stretch of time in Toronto. Tie and Mats have remained best friends, with Max considering Mats as a father figure and role model. When the Maple Leafs took a trip to Sweden for the NHL Global Series during November of 2023, Max reflected on the Toronto legend and what he has meant to him growing up. Max Domi reflecting on what Mats Sundin has meant to him "He means everything to me, man. He’s just one of the best, if not the best, Maple Leafs of all time, and he earned it all. So, he was my favourite player and the guy I’ve looked up to my entire life for that exact reason." Domi said during an interview. “He was a very close family friend of ours and is like family to me to this day. He was one of my dad’s best friends. So yeah, he’s a huge part of my life and a big reason why I fell in love with the game of hockey and a big reason I was and still am a Leafs fan. And yeah, you’ve got to give him a lot of credit for my development in a lot of ways, and whether it’s on the ice or off the ice, the advice he always gave me, well, the list goes on." Domi later added. "I’m just very, very grateful and thankful for our relationship." Maple Leafs will likely hold on to Domi With all this being said on how close the two have become, it makes it difficult to see the Maple Leafs wanting to ship off Domi. John Chayka does have experience trading the veteran winger, as he did in part of a deal that included acquiring Alex Galchenyuk from the Montreal Canadiens. This would become one of the trades he would regret as Domi produced a career-high 72 points with the Canadiens the very next season. With Mats having a lot of say in the trades the Maple Leafs make, it will be very difficult to see them placing Domi on the block. Domi has enjoyed his tenure with the Toronto Maple Leafs and is in no position to attract the interest of contenders with his recent play.

Mandatory Credit: James Lang-Imagn Images | James Lang-Imagn Images The Toronto Maple Leafs have won the 2026 NHL Draft, getting the honor of picking first overall on June 26th in Buffalo. With the lottery now over, we have begun predicting and analyzing which players each team will select. While we don’t know where teams will be selecting past 16, all of the top-end talent of the draft will likely be taken off the board at that stage of the first round. The top two players heading into the draft are both wingers, Gavin McKenna and Ivar Stenberg; however, will that order hold as defenceman Chase Reid and center Caleb Malhotra become far more intriguing to teams? I will now present to you a top 10 post-lottery mock draft. 1. Toronto Maple Leafs – Gavin McKenna, Penn State University (NCAA) The Maple Leafs have found a solution to replace Mitch Marner’s elite playmaking ability. After spending his first two seasons of junior hockey, McKenna decided to challenge himself by moving to the NCAA Big Ten Conference to suit up for Penn State University. McKenna played exceptionally well, posting 51 points, including 15 goals in 35 games. For a Maple Leafs team heading towards a retool, this seems like the perfect beginning. 2. San Jose Sharks – Ivar Stenberg, Frolunda HC (SHL) The number one-rated international prospect is being taken off the board at second overall. The San Jose Sharks are in a position many did not see coming, as they went into the lottery with the 15th-best odds of landing the first overall pick. No matter who the Sharks take at this position, they will continue to load up their prospect pool, adding another top player. Adding a top winger alongside Macklin Celebrini can become one of the deadliest duos in the NHL. Stenberg impressed many by playing against professional hockey players at the age of 18, tallying 33 points in 43 games. 3. Vancouver Canucks – Caleb Malhotra, Brantford Bulldogs (OHL) The Canucks were hoping to remain the top pick in the NHL Draft, but sitting at number three, there are still a lot of solid options to choose from. The Canucks have a lot of upcoming talent, and I believe they are ready to add another top-end talent to replace Elias Pettersson down the middle of the ice. On the backend, they have Zeev Buium and Tom Willander, while Malhotra brings top-end talent to an already good forward core in Vancouver. Malhotra’s father, Manny, is the AHL’s head coach, which seems to be a match made in heaven. Malhotra, with the Bulldogs this season, has played solidly, scoring 84 points, including 29 goals in 67 games. 4. Chicago Blackhawks – Chase Reid, Sault Ste. Marie (OHL) The Blackhawks, at this stage of the NHL Draft, will likely look to add the best player available. This is likely Chase Reid, an offensive defenceman who is strong in all three areas of the ice. The Blackhawks are lacking a fast-skating, puck-moving defenseman to help them reach the next level, and adding Reid would answer many of their questions. Up front, they remain strong with Connor Bedard, Anton Frondell, Nick Lardis, Frank Nazar, and Oliver Moore paving the way offensively. Being able to select Reid at the fourth pick almost seems like a steal, with how he has been able to develop his game over the past two seasons with the Greyhounds. Reid’s total this season was 48 points in 47 games. 5. New York Rangers – Keaton Verhoeff, University of North Dakota (NCAA) The Rangers are in the midst of a rebuild, lacking both top-end skill and prospects. Looking at their blueline, they are in desperate need of a solid two-way defender who has some upside offensively. Keaton Verhoeff is known for his defensive game and is considered the best shutdown player in this draft. He plays a heavy physical style game to complement what the rest of the blueline presents. Verhoeff decided to take his game to the next level this season, sacrificing points to play against tougher competition in the NCAA rather than in the WHL, where he spent two seasons with the Victoria Royals. 6. Calgary Flames – Tynan Lawrence, Boston University (NCAA) Tynan Lawrence joined the University of Boston after playing 13 games with the Muskegon Lumberjacks in the USHL, where he dominated, putting up 17 points over that span. To help his draft stock and development, he transferred to the University of Boston on January 6th, playing 18 games and scoring 7 points. The Flames are getting a reliable two-way center who can drive the play by himself through the middle of the ice. Lawrence is also known for how hard he works in the dirty areas of the ice, separating himself from his opponents. The Flames are taking a little bit of a gamble with this pick, but he can blossom into a fantastic player for the Flames. 7. Seattle Kraken – Carson Carels, Prince George Cougars (WHL) The Seattle Kraken have been searching for a defenceman whom they can opt to build around. With Carels falling to the seventh overall pick, it gives them the ability to do this. Carels presents a strong two-way game, being effective in all areas of the ice. He plays a rugged, strong game, providing the back-end toughness every team needs to be successful. His hockey IQ also stands above the rest of the draft class, as he can make effective breakout passes while understanding the play, showcasing this at the IIHF World Junior Championship, where he was the youngest player on a stacked Team Canada roster. Carels will look to continue to develop into a strong player with the Kraken over the next couple of seasons. 8. Winnipeg Jets – Nikita Klepov, Saginaw Spirit (OHL) Nikita Klepov dominated the OHL with the Saginaw Spirit this past season, leading the OHL with 97 points in 67 games. The Florida native is an absolute magician with the puck and addresses the Jets’ need for goal scoring. Klepov is committed to Michigan State University for the 2026-27 season, furthering his development against better players in the NCAA Big Ten Conference. His shot is also what separates him in this draft class. He can put the puck in the back of the net from virtually anywhere. The lone downside to his game is his defensive responsibility, which he can improve. It creates an issue that has him falling in this draft. 9. Florida Panthers – Daxon Rudolph, Prince Albert Raiders (WHL) Daxon Rudolph is a big, strong, high-energy defenceman with a strong hockey IQ. Rudolph’s vision on the ice is unlikely for many; he sees the ice very well and can add to the Panthers’ strong defensive core in both the present and the future. Rudolph is not afraid of the dirty areas, winning one-on-one battles in the corners, out front of the net, and virtually anywhere on the ice. His offensive efficiency and possession control are what put him above many others. He is comparable to LA Kings blueliner Drew Doughty. He plays a steady game all over the ice that could help him become one of the best defencemen in the NHL for a very long time. 10. Nashville Predators – Viggo Bjorck, Djurgardens IF (SHL) With a lot of uncertainty around this organization’s management and coaching staff, it is tough to see where the team goes with the 10th overall pick. If I were the general manager, I would select Viggo Bjorck, who is a top-end talent. He has a high hockey IQ and plays a key role in all three areas of the ice. The Swedish forward is already playing against professional talent and hasn’t looked out of place one bit. His skating and edge work are what drive his offensive play. Bjorck also had a strong showing at the 2026 WJC, where he helped Team Sweden win gold. The 2026 NHL Draft is set to be filled with surprises, with lots of trades and shocking moves ahead of us. Check in on June 26th to see where each of these players ends up and who the Toronto Maple Leafs decide to take with the first overall pick.

Mandatory Credit: David Kirouac-Imagn Images | David Kirouac-Imagn Images The Toronto Maple Leafs had a very disappointing 2025-26 season, missing the playoffs for the first time since 2016-17, but with now the first overall pick, and a new management staff in John Chayka as the general manager and Mats Sundin as the senior executive advisor, things are slowly beginning to turn around for the Maple Leafs. John Chayka and Mats Sundin understand that things in Toronto need to change, and need to change fast if they are going to be competitive next season. What they are figuring out is what went wrong with the Maple Leafs this past season and what caused the majority of their struggles this season. From a viewer’s perspective, much of the Maple Leafs’ struggles stemmed from their blueline. Their inability to move the puck efficiently often left them trapped in their own zone for extended stretches. Morgan Rielly, expected to anchor the defence, had a rather forgettable season. As the team’s primary puck-moving defenceman and key contributor to breakouts and offensive transition, his struggles highlighted a broader issue that limited the team’s overall success. Pierre LeBrun reports on Simon Nemec at the trade deadline Dating back to the trade deadline, Pierre LeBrun reported that Simon Nemec had become available from the New Jersey Devils as long as the price was correct heading back the Devils' way. Heading into the offseason, John Chayka and the rest of the Maple Leafs management staff need to phone John Fitzgerald to see if this is a player they can target heading into next season. LeBrun also reported that the Devils are looking to receive a forward to help out their core and get back to the team they were just a few seasons ago. Simon Nemec fits the mould of what the Maple Leafs should be looking for this offseason. They need to begin replacing their veteran players with proven young talent to help push the retool forward, as well as make them competitive for many years to come. Nemec has the making to become an elite offensive defenceman, but struggled throughout the end of 2025 with an injury. While his defensive play has lacked at times this season, his talent and still being just age 22, there is a lot of time for him to grow into the player he is expected to become. What the Maple Leafs likely need to send in return for Nemec Looking into what the Devils want in return for Nemec, the Maple Leafs can begin discussing packages with Nicholas Robertson and Matias Maccelli. Robertson, for as long as many could remember, has wanted and needed a fresh start. Robertson is a proven goal-scoring winger who simply hasn't gotten the chance he's deserved within the Maple Leafs lineup. Nemec has had a similar story in New Jersey, and a deal involving the two could make more sense for both teams. The Maple Leafs are adding Maccelli to push the Devils to accept this deal. Nemec is liked by the Devils organization and is still viewed as a key part of their future, and if the Maple Leafs want to make this deal happen, they are going to need to give up more than they may be comfortable giving. The Maple Leafs need to circle back with the Devils on where Nemec stands and if there is a possibility of a trade involving the former second overall pick.

The Toronto Maple Leafs have had a lot of rumours swirling around their organization as of late, and that is for good measure; they failed to qualify for the playoffs for the first time in a decade, and with the newly hired general manager, John Chayka and senior executive advisor Mats Sundin, many are unsure of what the Maple Leafs could look like heading into next season. If one thing is certain, it is that William Nylander is going to be a Toronto Maple Leaf heading into the beginning of next season. He has undoubtedly been the team's best player over the course of the previous two seasons, and with Auston Matthews not sure of his future, the team will have to begin to look to build around the Swedish forward. Auston Matthews hasn't committed to the Maple Leafs long-term According to NHL insider Chris Johnston of The Athletic, Auston Matthews has not yet committed to playing for the Maple Leafs next season, leaving a potential massive hole in their roster. While Matthews is under contract for the next two seasons, the American forward could look to leave the organization before his contract comes to an end. The Maple Leafs captain is reportedly waiting to see "meaningful improvements" before looking to stick around long-term. If he doesn't see the improvements he was anticipating, his tenure with the Maple Leafs would likely come to an end relatively soon. For starters, John Chayka is going to listen and try his best to please number 34; however, that may not be the correct way to go. Matthews is clearly not the player he once was, and with William Nylander under contract for the foreseeable future, it may be in the best interest of the organization to look to see what he believes fits best moving forward. Nylander, this past season, despite the Maple Leafs struggles and lack of offensive production, led the way for the team. Playing just 65 games and struggling with injuries in the latter part of the season, he was able to register 79 points, including another 30-goal campaign, while their captain had the worst season of his career, not even surpassing the 30-goal plateau. William Nylander remains the face of the fanchise With both Nylander and Matthews being stars in the NHL and the two faces of the Maple Leafs organization, I can assume the two are going to speak with the management staff on improvements that they both think are for the best. What should scare Maple Leafs fans is that even if the Maple Leafs have another losing season, but improve the team the way Matthews best sees fit, he can very quickly turn around and demand a trade heading into the final year of his contract, leaving Nylander as the face of the franchise. It could be the safest bet for John Chayka and Mats Sundin to build the team around Nylander moving forward, instead of hoping that the Leafs play well next season to please Auston Matthews. With how Matthews has been playing over the past two seasons, he hasn't been a player who should and can demand these changes, especially if he is ready to pack up and head out of Toronto.

The Toronto Maple Leafs received a gift on Tuesday. The Maple Leafs won the draft lottery, stunning the NHL, giving them the first overall pick on June 26th in Buffalo. Heading into the draft, the Maple Leafs sat with the fifth-best odds on Tuesday with an 8.5% chance of winning the lottery. In just one night, the outlook of the Maple Leafs' season and the future of the organization changes. With the opportunity to add an elite prospect, the Maple Leafs are now positioned to form one of the most dangerous cores in the NHL, building around Auston Matthews and William Nylander. Heading into Buffalo in late June, there will likely not be a lot of speculation on who they draft, with many believing the obvious choice is Gavin McKenna. However, the 2026 NHL Draft is not expected to have one single generational talent, but rather a lot of high-end players who can change your franchise overnight. This article is going to analyze who may fit best within the Maple Leafs system and who the best choice could be for John Chayka on draft night. Gavin McKenna - Penn State University (NCAA) The Gavin McKenna sweepstakes have highlighted the 2026 NHL Draft for as long as hockey fans can remember. Since the beginning of McKenna's junior career, he has dominated. At the age of 16, he set a Medicine Hat record in the WHL, scoring 97 points, including 34 goals. He continued this, his very next season scoring video game-type numbers, producing 129 points in 56 games, including 41 goals. Heading into the 2026 season, McKenna decided to make the change and head to the NCAA, where he impressed, registering 51 points, including 15 goals in 35 games played. McKenna's reasoning for being the projected first overall pick goes far beyond just the stats. He has a very special skill set that sets him apart from everyone else in this draft class. This was noticeable from a young age, when he played in the famous U-10 Brick Invitational Tournament. McKenna's jump to the NCAA this past season proved that next season, he can make an impact in the NHL. Instead of staying in the WHL and dominating, McKenna decided to challenge himself and play against older players who have already been drafted and are signed by their NHL organizations in the Big Ten Conference. Playing this level of hockey can help ease the jump into the NHL next season. McKenna continued with Penn State, was able to drive the play five on five, which is what the Maple Leafs missed at points of the season, and continued to develop as the season went on. Ivar Stenberg - Frolunda HC (SHL) Ivar Stenberg has been second among mock drafts this season and is the number one rated international forward. Over the past few months, Stenberg and McKenna have separated themselves from the remainder of the draft class. In Stenberg's first season playing professional hockey in the Swedish Hockey League, he has proved to have played extremely well, producing 33 points, including 11 goals in 43 games. Where many heard Stenberg's name was during the 2025-26 IIHF World Junior Championship, where he dominated, scoring 10 points in seven contests, including four goals over that span. The Swedish winger provides a strong two-way game, while providing a dynamic offensive style of hockey, with a high hockey IQ. His defensive presence in all three zones earns the trust of any coach. The Maple Leafs, for the majority of this past season, struggled to keep the puck out of their own net, as they didn't have a true two-way forward to be effective on all sides of the puck. Over the course of the SHL season, Stenberg displayed a level of maturity well beyond his years, particularly impressive for an 18-year-old competing against professionals. His point totals surpass those of players such as Leo Carlsson and Anton Frondell from a few years prior, when he played in the SHL. Stenberg is projected to become a top-line winger in the NHL. Chase Reid - Sault Ste. Marie (OHL) Chase Reid is a player many did not expect to be this high on anyone's list just one season ago. He began his 2024-25 season in the NAHL playing for the Bismarck Bobcats, where he impressed many, producing 12 points in 18 games, including six goals. His play then began to catch the eye of many, and he decided to move to the OHL to play for the Sault Ste. Marie over the past two campaigns. In his first season in the OHL, Reid played solidly, expanding his offensive style of hockey, registering 40 points in 39 games, including seven goals. This season with the Greyhounds, Reid continued his success, producing 56 points, including 15 goals in 57 games. Chase Reid also earned the opportunity to represent Team USA at the IIHF World Junior Championship, where he played well, scoring four points in five games. What makes Reid an intriguing player for the Maple Leafs is his ability to move the puck and be the offensive defenceman they have desperately needed. Morgan Rielly is no longer the player he once was, and the Maple Leafs need someone to step into that role and be their number one defenceman moving forward. Reid is also a great skater, having impeccable edgework, allowing him to carry the puck with ease. He has been a crucial part of the Greyhounds' blue line, being their best defenceman in all three zones of the ice. On the defensive side of the puck, Reid has shown he can slow down the rush with his stick. The 18-year-old is able to lead the breakout and play critical minutes in all scenarios. For what the Maple Leafs are missing on the blueline, Reid is someone they have been missing, and someone they can build their blueline around for the future. John Chayka and the management staff will have a big decision as the NHL Draft is set for June 26th in Buffalo. All sources have the Maple Leafs selecting McKenna; however, any of these three choices will help the Maple Leafs get back to the team we saw just one season ago.

The Toronto Maple Leafs introduced their 19th general manager in Toronto Maple Leafs history on Monday, as they took to the media for the first time since hiring John Chayka and Mats Sundin. There were a lot of questions regarding the team's future after missing the postseason for the first time in a decade; however, Craig Berube's future with the Maple Leafs was one that many had spoken about a lot over the past couple of weeks since the departure of their previous general manager, Brad Treliving. John Chayka, on Monday, quickly defended Berube, but didn't say directly whether his job is safe with the organization. Is John Chayka willing to bring back Craig Berube? When Chayka was asked if he was willing to bring back Berube next season, he responded with " Yes, of course." "It's hard to find great coaches. He's a great coach. I was lucky enough to work with Rick Tocchet in Arizona. Obviously, there's a deep friendship there, and I think they share notes and ideas on things, so I'm not starting from zero, and I think Craig's a really, really good coach." Chayka continued. Craig Berube was hired by the Maple Leafs when Brad Treliving moved on from Sheldon Keefe during the summer of 2024, after they lost in game seven to the Boston Bruins. Over his two-year span with the Maple Leafs, he has a record of 84-62-18, while winning the Atlantic Division in his first campaign before losing to the Florida Panthers in game seven of the second round. Craig Berube's tenure with the Maple Leafs to date Craig Berube's time with the Maple Leafs is filled with mixed emotions and two completely different stories. In his first season, the Maple Leafs were one of the best all-around teams throughout the entire NHL; however, this season, they finished with the second-highest goals against and most shots against per game, while finishing last in the division and bottom-five in the NHL. Chayka later spoke on how he will make the decision moving forward with Berube, mentioning, I think data is one part of the puzzle. And I think you need to look at what a coach is given, you need to look at what he's good with, and I think you have to take it into part of the entire holistic review of things. But certainly I would definitely ask that question, why the team was subpar in several underlying categories, to Craig and get his input as well." With Chayka and Sundin taking over the front office, it is interesting to see if they decide the best foot forward is to start fresh with a new look all around, or if they truly believe Berube is the correct option moving forward. That decision will have to be made soon, as the offseason is right around the corner.

The Toronto Maple Leafs held a press conference on Monday, regarding the new hirings of their new general manager, John Chayka and Mats Sundin as senior executive advisor. Both of which shared insights into where they see the team moving forward, and what it means to be in this role. Mats Sundin comments to begin the media availability Mats Sundin, to begin the media availability, touched on what it means to return to the city of Toronto and how Sundin and Chayka share a similar vision for the team moving forward. "I’m extremely excited to be sitting here today. I’m very emotional connected to the team, to the city. I think we (Chayka and I) have the same vision of what a winning team looks like, and we will complement each other." Sundin said on Monday. Sundin also touched upon why he feels it was the right timing. "Well, it was actually great timing. My kids are a little older. I’ve been watching the game from the outside, both the Toronto Maple Leafs for the past 10 years, and I’ve done some work for the Swedish national team and watched prospects in Europe while also watching the whole league develop. It was a perfect time to come back with a perspective from the outside for a long time." Sundin said. Mats Sundin also spoke about what working with Chayka will look like and why he feels they can be a successful duo working in the NHL. "I know John. I’ve watched John for a long time. He is a super-intelligent, progressive, hard-working guy. He understands the game. Even though he hasn’t been a GM for a long time, he has followed the game closely, stayed in contact, and watched players, the game, and prospects for this period that he has been out." Sundin added on Monday. Mats Sundin spent 13 seasons with the Toronto Maple Leafs, serving as the team captain for 11 of those years. Sundin was loved by many of the fans and holds a special place in Maple Leafs history as one of the greatest players to wear the blue and white. While he doesn't have any experience working in the NHL, he is a well-respected person around the NHL. What role will Sundin play with the Maple Leafs It remains unclear exactly what role Mats Sundin will take within the Toronto Maple Leafs organization. While MLSE CEO Keith Pelley did not formally replace Brendan Shanahan as team president, Sundin’s position appears to closely resemble that type of role without being around the team every day. Like Shanahan in the past, he is expected to work alongside general manager John Chayka, guiding key roster decisions. At the same time, Pelley’s vision likely extends beyond structure. Bringing Sundin back adds a strong sense of identity, reconnecting the organization with one of its most respected people and adds a sense of excitement to both the organization and the fan base. Sundin and Chayka are taking over the Maple Leafs at a very pivotal time. They had just missed the postseason for the first time in a decade and don't have a true identity on where they are going, moving towards the future. Sundin ended the press conference with a quote that should get Maple Leafs fan excited for the future. "We’re going to do everything we can to help the Toronto Maple Leafs win and make you guys proud.”