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The 2026 NHL Draft kicked off Friday night at the KeyBank Center in Buffalo – home of the Buffalo Sabers – and while drafts usually offer their share of surprises, the No. 1 overall pick wasn’t one of them.
The Toronto Maple Leafs “earned” the first pick after a dreadful 2025-26 campaign, and they used it to select Penn State star Gavin McKenna.
The 18-year-old from Whitehorse, Yukon, has been the presumptive top dog in the 2026 NHL Draft for years.
NHL TOP PROJECT GAVIN MCKENNA CHARGED WITH ASSAULT IN DOWNTOWN PENN STATE INCIDENT, SHOWS COURT DOCUMENT
The Toronto Maple Leafs have selected Penn State’s Gavin McKenna with the first pick in the 2026 NHL Draft. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
However, despite new Leafs general manager John Chayka meeting with McKenna at his home, the team remained tight-lipped about their decision.
But, ultimately, he would still be the guy to hear his name called first this year, but not before Justin Bieber made an awkward announcement.
Maybe don’t skip the explanation next time, Biebs.
Nevertheless, the choice remains: Gavin McKenna is a Toronto Maple Leaf.
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The Leafs certainly have needs to fill. Their goaltending is questionable (although that will be difficult to quickly correct in the draft), and the blue line could use some additional size. This draft featured several players who could have helped in that regard, including Albert Smits from Europe and Chase Reid from Sault Ste. Marie Les Lévriers.
But ultimately, McKenna is the kind of ultra-talented player you take regardless of your needs.
He scored 51 points (15G, 36A) in just 35 games at Penn State last season, so while he’s not a top-tier winger, he’ll do a great job of helping fill out the Leafs’ second or third lines.
Gavin McKenna (left) poses with singer Justin Bieber, who announced the Toronto Maple Leafs pick. ((Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images))
McKenna is going to have to make an impact quickly as the team looks to turn things around quickly under new coach Jim Hiller, and he’ll have to do it under pressure.
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But he can handle it. He’s received a lot of attention thus far in his career, and even some considerable off-ice distractions to put together a strong debut season and prepare well to be the No. 1 pick.
After McKenna, the San Jose Sharks selected Swede Ivar Stenberg with the No. 2 pick, while the Vancouver Canucks used the No. 3 pick on Caleb Malhotra, son of former NHL player and current Canucks coach Manny Malhotra.
