Maple Leafs 2026 NHL Draft Pick: The Case For Ivar Stenberg
It's not guaranteed that Gavin McKenna will be selected by the Toronto Maple Leafs with the first overall pick. Swedish star Ivar Stenberg has proven to many that he would be just as great a pick as anyone to lead the 2026 NHL draft.
Video Transcript
Ooh.
How do, how do you get a second top five pick without making sure that you kinda take a step back next season?
And I think that's- It, it, like the scenario doesn't work the other way.
Like, you have to If San Jose is gonna give up their second overall pick, it's because they're getting William Nylander or, you know, Austin Matthews.
And is that worth it for the Leafs?
Like, are you talking about a complete tear down?
And our friend of the show, Drew Shore, suggested that.
Like, this is a team that should strip it down and go for a full rebuild.
I'm of the belief that you just pick Adam McKenna number one.
You make Austin Matthews happy.
You get into the playoffs next season, and then you just kind of try to extend this championship window.
But I'm curious to see what Ryan thinks, because I, I don't think the Leafs can get a second pick in the top five.
Yeah, my initial thought was like, no.
And then I thought about it more, I'm like, well, it depends on what the price is.
And then it was like, well, maybe it's possible.
But I, I think I'm still back on no, because of the price, right?
Like, if it's Nylander, then it's like, well, no.
Then, then you're just hoping that you draft somebody that can be William Nylander.
Still a draft pick.
Yeah.
Yeah.
It's still just a draft pick.
and we assume these kids are gonna be superstars, but often they're just good NHLers.
Yeah.
Maybe if it's a defenseman, that's cool.
But yeah, that would be like full rebuild.
Yeah.
And I just think with the Leafs, if they trade a goalie to get like, you know, like a top pairing defenseman, that would be more the, the earth-shaking move that would help them.
Because they, they now know that their top six is gonna be, once again, really special.
