Report: Maple Leafs Are Listening On Offers For No. 1 Overall Draft Pick

Toronto Maple Leafs executives Mats Sundin and John Chayka

After the shocking good fortune of winning the No. 1 overall pick in this year's NHL Draft Lottery, the Toronto Maple Leafs, by all accounts, seem set to take either Gavin McKenna (most likely) or Ivar Stenberg as a blue-chip building block for the future when this year's Draft takes place next month.

Or will they?

According to insider Pierre LeBrun in The Athletic, new Toronto GM John Chayka is not opposed to listening to offers from rival teams interested in the top pick.

Not that the Maple Leafs are intent on moving the No. 1 pick, but new general manager John Chayka also isn’t hanging up the phone if and when teams call. Why would he? If a team steps up in a meaningful way with the kind of package that helps the Leafs get back in contention, Chayka will at least listen, according to league sources.

What could the Leafs trade the No. 1 overall pick for?

If the Leafs really want to address the many areas of the squad that need attention—the blueline, top-six help, future draft capital—this is something they'll have to at least be open to considering. Instead of adding one very, very good top-six winger, what if they were able to add a top puck-moving defenseman, a solid top-six forward, AND another first-rounder (of which they have none for the following two years after 2026)?

We've already outlined one mock blockbuster offer proposed by a Sportsnet hockey analyst that could land the Leafs their No. 1 blueliner and power play QB of the future, in addition to another No. 1 pick, without dropping too far in this year's lottery. It's only hypothetical, but it might get the mind stirring into what might be possible if Chayka & Sundin were to continue to "not hang up the phone" as LeBrun notes when offers come in.

McKenna (or Stenberg) could be an immediate addition to the Leafs' top-six. A potential side-kick for Auston Matthews. But shouldn't they aim even higher, if they can?