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The 2026 NHL Draft sewage underway connected Friday nighttime astatine KeyBank Center successful Buffalo — location of nan Buffalo Sabres — and while drafts usually supply their stock of surprises, nan first wide prime was not one.
The Toronto Maple Leafs "earned" nan apical prime aft an abysmal 2025-26 campaign, and they utilized it to prime Penn State prima Gavin McKenna.
The 18-year-old from Whitehorse, Yukon, has been nan presumptive apical canine successful nan 2026 NHL Draft people for years astatine this point.
TOP NHL PROSPECT GAVIN MCKENNA CHARGED WITH ASSAULT IN DOWNTOWN PENN STATE INCIDENT, COURT DOCUMENT SHOWS
The Toronto Maple Leafs selected Penn State's Gavin McKenna pinch nan first-overall prime successful nan 2026 NHL Draft. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
However, contempt caller Leafs GM John Chayka gathering pinch McKenna astatine his home, nan squad was tight-lipped astir their decision.
But, successful nan end, he was ever going to beryllium nan feline to perceive his sanction called first this year, conscionable not earlier Justin Bieber made an awkward announcement.
Maybe don't skip nan run-through adjacent time, Biebs.
Nonetheless, nan prime stands: Gavin McKenna is simply a Toronto Maple Leaf.
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The Leafs surely person immoderate needs to address. Their goaltending is questionable (though that's difficult to hole quickly done nan draft), and nan bluish statement could usage immoderate added size. This draught featured respective players who could person helped successful that regard, including Albert Smits retired of Europe and Chase Reid of nan OHL's Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds.
But, successful nan end, McKenna is nan benignant of ultra-talented subordinate you return sloppy of your needs.
He posted 51 points (15G, 36A) successful conscionable 35 games astatine Penn State past season, truthful moreover if he's not a top-line winger, he's going to thief capable retired nan Leafs' 2nd aliases 3rd lines very nicely.
Gavin McKenna (left) poses pinch vocalist Justin Bieber, who announced nan Toronto Maple Leafs' pick. ((Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images))
McKenna's going to person to make an effect quickly arsenic nan squad looks to move things astir successful a hurry nether caller coach Jim Hiller, and he'll person to do it nether pressure.
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But he tin grip it. He's dealt pinch tons of attraction truthful acold successful his career, and moreover immoderate considerable off-ice distractions to propulsion down a coagulated freshman play and group himself up nicely to beryllium nan No. 1 pick.
After McKenna, nan San Jose Sharks selected Sweden's Ivar Stenberg pinch nan No. 2 pick, while nan Vancouver Canucks utilized nan No. 3 prime connected Caleb Malhotra, boy of ex-NHLer and existent Canucks coach Manny Malhotra.
Matthew Reigle is simply a writer for OutKick.
