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Maple Leafs Select No. 1 Pick After Buffalo Combine

6/7/2026

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Summary

Maple Leafs Draft

The Toronto Maple Leafs interviewed 65 of 90 prospects at the 2026 NHL Scouting Combine in Buffalo and chose the No. 1 pick in the June 26-27 draft.
GM John Chayka, hired May 3 after Brad Treliving’s March 30 firing, visited Gavin McKenna’s family in Whitehorse, Yukon before the combine.
Gavin McKenna, 5' 11.25" and 170 pounds, said a No. 1 pick would mean the world.
Bleacher Report projected Chase Reid as No. 2 to the Sharks.

Summary

Cayman Islands Draft

The Cayman Islands produced two draft-eligible players, Ryder Cali and Jaxon Cover, giving the nation its first chance at a top-64 NHL pick.
Montreal interviewers posed unusual hypothetical scenarios to prospects, such as a WWII submarine dilemma and a Sahara water-bottle question.
Lithuanian forward Simas Ignatavicius learned hockey at age three after watching a mall game, per his basketball-player father's advice.

History

Historical Context

After the NHL-WHA merger, the league held its first unified Entry Draft on August 9 1979 in Montreal, selecting 126 players in six rounds; Toronto chose forward Rick Vaive fifth overall. The merger’s push to broaden talent pools set a precedent that echoes in the 2026 Buffalo scouting combine, where the Maple Leafs evaluated 65 prospects from diverse regions, driving larger scouting budgets and analytics.

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Maple Leafs Draft

The Toronto Maple Leafs interviewed 65 of 90 prospects at the 2026 NHL Scouting Combine in Buffalo and chose the No. 1 pick in the June 26-27 draft.
GM John Chayka, hired May 3 after Brad Treliving’s March 30 firing, visited Gavin McKenna’s family in Whitehorse, Yukon before the combine.
Gavin McKenna, 5' 11.25" and 170 pounds, said a No. 1 pick would mean the world.
Bleacher Report projected Chase Reid as No. 2 to the Sharks.

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