Toronto Maple Leafs general manager John Chayka confirmed the team has finalized its choice for the first overall selection at the 2026 NHL draft in Buffalo.
Chayka made the announcement during a Thursday press conference at the Ford Performance Centre, where he also introduced Jim Hiller as the team's new head coach.
"We do have our pick and a lot of conviction around it," Chayka said. "The ability for those top picks to be able to shape franchises is real.
We certainly hope that is one of them for us."
Management declined to publicly name the selection before Friday night, but Chayka highly praised Penn State winger Gavin McKenna, the consensus top prospect according to TSN.
"I got the chance to spend time with Gavin in Whitehorse, and he is a unique player and person," Chayka said.
"It is an amazing story. He never had a skills coach until he was 13.
He didn’t have a skating coach until he was 13. He was not in the gym until he was 15."
Chayka described McKenna's development as a "Canadian story of being out in the rink, love for the game, and passion for the game."
"His unique ability to break down the game and create offensive chances is special," Chayka added.
Exploring Additional Top-10 Pick
The Maple Leafs are reportedly exploring options to acquire another top-10 selection, having already strengthened their roster by trading for defensemen Darren Raddysh and Emil Andrae.
"It’s rare those picks are moved," Chayka said. "We’ve had discussions on every pick in the top 10, outside of one.
If you could get two top-10 picks, that’s a compelling option."
Chayka noted that adding two players from the same age group in that part of the draft is an interesting premise, but acknowledged the cost involved.
Regarding the intense workload surrounding the draft and potential trades, Chayka indicated that the high volume of league activity is normal for this period.
"There is liquidity in the market right now. The opportunity to make our team better over the next 10 days is vital," he said.
"We have all the scenarios mapped out."
Despite recent additions to the blue line, the front office is actively seeking to fill remaining roster vacancies.
"We are certainly better than we were at the last press conference, but I would still say there are significant holes we’re trying to address," Chayka said.
"We still have a long way to go, but we are in a better place."
Rielly and Knies Trade Speculation Addressed
Speculation remains regarding veteran defenseman Morgan Rielly, who reportedly submitted a list of four Western-based teams he would accept a trade to.
"Morgan is the longest tenured Leaf," Chayka noted.
"I have tons of respect for everything he has done, not only on the ice — he is a prolific player — but off the ice as well."
Chayka dismissed immediate expectations of moving Rielly, stating that current plans favor keeping him on the roster.
"I don’t think so," Chayka said. "As we stand here, no.
But, again, those are the discussions we’ll continue to have."
Head coach Jim Hiller expressed enthusiasm about coaching Rielly again, having previously worked with him as an assistant coach from 2015 to 2019.
"I’m really excited for the chance to get to coach him again," said Hiller. "I look at him as being part of the solution."
Chayka also addressed recurring trade inquiries concerning 23-year-old winger Matthew Knies, who is signed to a long-term contract.
"Matthew’s an elite power forward in the prime of his career at a number that we think allows us to build a great team around him," Chayka reiterated.
The general manager emphasized that trading Knies would be counterproductive to improving the current lineup.
"There’s nothing, as I stand here today, that I think makes us a better team," Chayka said.
Meanwhile, top prospect Gavin McKenna expressed his readiness for the draft spotlight during a media session in Buffalo, stating his comfort with playing a polarizing role on rival ice.
"I want to be a villain wherever I go," said McKenna, according to Yahoo Sports.
McKenna also commented on how his playmaking abilities would complement Toronto captain Auston Matthews if the draft projections hold true.
"I can think the game very well, and I can find guys in spots where not many people can find them, so if you put me with a shooter, it could be pretty lethal," McKenna said.
The draft first round will commence officially at 7:00 p. m.
on Friday, as reported by the Toronto Star.
"We’ve got our decision," Chayka said. "Tomorrow at seven (p.
m. ) we will share it."
