NHL Draft Lottery 2026: Maple Leafs to select first overall
Yahoo Sports • • sports
Key Points:
- The Toronto Maple Leafs won the 2026 NHL Draft lottery, securing the first overall pick for the first time since 2016, when they selected Auston Matthews.
- Toronto had an 8.5% chance of winning the lottery, entering with a 32-36-14 season and finishing last in the Atlantic Division.
- The San Jose Sharks won the second overall pick despite having only a 5% chance, marking their fourth consecutive top-five selection.
- The top prospect expected to be selected first is Penn State winger Gavin McKenna, who led the Big Ten in points during his freshman season and recently had an aggravated assault charge dropped.
- The 2026 NHL Draft is scheduled for June 26 in Buffalo, New York, with the top ten draft order starting with Toronto, San Jose, Vancouver, Chicago, and New York Rangers.
