Gavin McKenna Hoping Maple Leafs Draft Him #1 Overall

Thursday, May 28, 2026

Leafs Nation, you're going to want to hear this.

After shocking the NHL and winning the draft lottery a few weeks ago, the Toronto Maple Leafs are set up to select Gavin McKenna with the first overall pick, and while some folks were wondering about his interest in heading to a wild hockey market, it turns out he's all for it.

McKenna was a guest on TSN's panel at the Memorial Cup, and was asked about if he's thought about become a Maple Leaf. 

Obviously, it's the biggest hockey market in the world, so that'd be pretty cool," McKenna said while being interviewed by TSN at the Memorial Cup on Wednesday. "I'd be very honored. I hear good things about Toronto. I've talked to some people and it sounds like an amazing place.

The Maple Leafs had an 8.5% chance of winning and pulled it off, as the new management regime of Mats Sundin and John Chayka certainly caught a break in their first ew days on the job. It's either going to be McKenna or Swedish forward Ivar Stenberg, who is ripping it up at the World Championships.

If you're wondering about how the current Maple Leafs feel about the potential of adding McKenna, here's the video of Matthew Knies and William Nylander finding out Toronto won the lottery while they attended a Toronto Marlies AHL playoff game.

It's going to be a very interesting summer in Toronto.

Photo credit: Dan Rainville / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images 

 

Go To: NFL Rumors | NBA Rumors | MLB Rumors