2026 NHL Draft: Sharks and Maple Leafs Weigh Top Picks

The 2026 NHL Draft lottery placed the San Jose Sharks at No. 2 and the Toronto Maple Leafs at No. 1. Consensus among analysts names Swedish winger Gavin McKenna as the overall favorite for the first pick. Both clubs now face strategic choices: the Sharks must decide whether to select a forward or a defenseman at No. 2, while the Leafs consider whether to take McKenna or pursue a trade or alternative prospect.

Sunday Overreactions: How creative should Maple Leafs get with No. 1 pick?

Analysts split on the Sharks’ optimal choice. Ivar Stenberg (5-ft-11, Frölunda HC, SHL) logged 43 games with 11 goals and 22 assists, plus a 4-goal, 6-assist showing at the U-20 World Juniors. Chase Reid (Soo Greyhounds, OHL) posted 45 games with 18 goals and 30 assists and will join Michigan State in the fall.

Sharks’ Mock Draft Check: Experts Leaning Toward One Player at No. 2

• Steven Ellis (Daily Faceoff) praised Stenberg’s puck-handling and shot, calling his hockey sense “the second-best in the draft behind McKenna.”

Sharks’ Mock Draft Check: Experts Leaning Toward One Player at No. 2

• Scott Wheeler (The Athletic) described Reid as “tailor-made to be…future RHD1 and PP1 QB” for San Jose.

Sharks’ Mock Draft Check: Experts Leaning Toward One Player at No. 2

• Chris Peters (FloSports) argued the Sharks “shouldn’t pass up” the chance to add a defensive cornerstone, noting Reid’s style fits the team’s direction.

Sharks’ Mock Draft Check: Experts Leaning Toward One Player at No. 2

The Sharks’ front office has not issued a public statement, leaving the decision to speculation.

Sharks’ Mock Draft Check: Experts Leaning Toward One Player at No. 2

Maple Leafs GM John Chayka and former captain Mats Sundin emphasized urgency, saying the franchise must “catch a moving train” after securing the top pick. Their public remarks suggest openness to creative moves, including trades or drafting a defenseman.

Sunday Overreactions: How creative should Maple Leafs get with No. 1 pick?

• The prevailing view favors McKenna for his “highest upside” and immediate power-play impact.

Sunday Overreactions: How creative should Maple Leafs get with No. 1 pick?

• Analysts note other viable targets: Stenberg (forward), Caleb Malhotra (centre), Chase Reid (defense), and Keaton Verhoeff (defense).

Sharks’ Mock Draft Check: Experts Leaning Toward One Player at No. 2

• Potential trade scenarios include moving down for assets or swapping the pick for a player like Robert Thomas and the 11th overall selection from the St. Louis Blues.

Sunday Overreactions: How creative should Maple Leafs get with No. 1 pick?

• Gavin McKenna (Frölunda HC): 33 points in 43 SHL games; 4 goals, 6 assists in 7 U-20 World Junior games.

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• Ivar Stenberg: Same SHL line as McKenna; praised for shot and hockey sense.

Sharks’ Mock Draft Check: Experts Leaning Toward One Player at No. 2

• Chase Reid: 48 points in 45 OHL games; slated for NCAA play.

Sharks’ Mock Draft Check: Experts Leaning Toward One Player at No. 2

• Alberts Smits (Latvian defenseman, mentioned as a peripheral option): 2 assists in 4 Olympic games; 13 points in 38 Liiga games.

Sharks’ Mock Draft Check: Experts Leaning Toward One Player at No. 2

• Leafs: Chayka and Sundin publicly stressed the need for swift action, framing the lottery win as a catalyst for roster retooling.

Sunday Overreactions: How creative should Maple Leafs get with No. 1 pick?

• Sharks: GM Mike Grier has not commented; analysts infer he may consider trading down to acquire additional assets.

Sharks’ Mock Draft Check: Experts Leaning Toward One Player at No. 2

• Some analysts argue the Leafs should trade the No. 1 slot for multiple assets, warning that “the talent level drops sharply after the top five.”

Sunday Overreactions: How creative should Maple Leafs get with No. 1 pick?

• For San Jose, critics suggest the team could “trade down” to secure a higher-impact forward while adding depth, rather than committing to a defenseman at No. 2.

Sharks’ Mock Draft Check: Experts Leaning Toward One Player at No. 2

No official confirmation exists from either franchise regarding their draft intentions. The speculation relies entirely on media analysts and indirect comments, leaving a gap in definitive team strategy.

Sunday Overreactions: How creative should Maple Leafs get with No. 1 pick?

• “Stenberg is strong with the puck, has a fantastic shot and might have the second-best hockey sense of anyone in the draft behind McKenna,” — Steven Ellis, Daily Faceoff

Sharks’ Mock Draft Check: Experts Leaning Toward One Player at No. 2

• “feels tailor-made to be…future RHD1 and PP1 QB” — Scott Wheeler, The Athletic

Sharks’ Mock Draft Check: Experts Leaning Toward One Player at No. 2

• “He’s got kind of a similar style of play to Zach Werenski. Somebody that can drive play from the moment he gets the puck.” — Craig Button, San Jose Hockey Now Podcast

Sharks’ Mock Draft Check: Experts Leaning Toward One Player at No. 2

• “He’s a strong skater, has a high-end offensive game and his maturity on and off the ice — he lived on his own at age 13 when he left his native Latvia to play in Finland — makes him a possibility to play in the NHL as soon as next season,” — Adam Kimelman, NHL.com

Sharks’ Mock Draft Check: Experts Leaning Toward One Player at No. 2

• “While Ivar Stenberg is a strong [pick], the opportunity to add another cornerstone to their defense is an opportunity San Jose shouldn’t pass up,” — Chris Peters, FloSports

Sharks’ Mock Draft Check: Experts Leaning Toward One Player at No. 2

• “1 pick, but the safest and smartest play is to take McKenna.” — Sportsnet analysis (Maple Leafs draft commentary)

Sunday Overreactions: How creative should Maple Leafs get with No. 1 pick?

The NHL Draft is scheduled for June 26, 2026. Both clubs will announce their selections that day, with the Leafs poised to either select McKenna, trade the pick, or choose an alternative prospect, while the Sharks will reveal whether they prioritize forward depth or a defensive cornerstone at No. 2.

Sunday Overreactions: How creative should Maple Leafs get with No. 1 pick?