Confirmed with Link: LEAFS WIN #1 PICK IN 2026 NHL DRAFT

[ULF_55]

The only worry is that MLSE does the same thing with him that they did with Matthews: roll out the red carpet and turn him into a 'celebrity first, hockey player second' by inserting ego into his head by featuring him in hundreds of promotional videos that have nothing to do with hockey and by spoiling him at every turn before he even plays his first game.

Unlike they did with Matthews, they have to keep him humble and make him work for his rewards, not simply reward him before he ever sets foot on the ice. Don't fill his head with ego and make him some kind of fashion celebrity movie star. Keep him focused on hockey and not create any kind of impression that he's this party dude who likes to hang with celebrities after the game and go to concerts and put on outrageous costumes. I never saw Crosby, Ovechkin, Gretzky etc as those types of guys even though I'm sure there's footage of that kind of stuff out there but it's never been their main identity like it has been with several of these Leaf players the last 10 years. We get it players are humans too and want to have fun outside of the game but it seemed like the non-hockey promo material they showed us about some of our players were just juvenile and far outweighed the amount of material containing them actually involved in the game.

Let's see if they learn from these past mistakes or if they're just going to do it all over again.

He will kill moose ...

 

[hfman]

Dear Santa. NHL.

Thank you for the #1 draft pick. but if you can somehow make it that we can get Chase Reid too that would be super. thanks.

fixed it for ya

 

[Buckley]

There is still a debate between McKenna, Reid and Stenberg. However with McKenna’s crazy fitness testing results he almost certainly has leveled up with Stenberg who showed well at the worlds.

I think the debate might be in your head only. There is no question who the Leafs are taking.

 

[HavocWreaker]

Mckenna finished the combine with 4 top 8 finishes in various categories.
Vo2 max 1st
Iso squat 4th
Pull ups 6th
No arm jump 8th


Not too shabby.

 

[Divine]

 

[RoadWarrior]

I think the debate might be in your head only. There is no question who the Leafs are taking.

That’s not what the team is saying. Both Leach and Chayka indicate there is a “group of players” they’re considering for the top pick. However saying they’re drafting “best player available” would likely rule out Chase Reid as he’s probably a notch below McKenna and Stenberg.

Based on the second half of the season plus the combine testing which McKenna was preparing for he obviously has the edge. That wasn’t the case in January.

McKenna gambled that prepping for the combine and nailing the fitness testing would boost his draft stock more than the worlds and I think he was right.

That doesn’t mean that McKenna doesn’t still need to work on his game. The physical engagement and interior game needs to improve and he needs to win more puck battles.

The advantage with the leafs is that he will have immediate support playing with all star players in the top six unlike Bedard who was on an island in Chicago.

If the leafs can sign Raddysh as a free agent their power play should be top 5 in the league this year.

 

[hfman]

Just make sure they market him as a hockey player first.

None of this marketing him as some party kid who wears women's deodorant, plays golf, video games, hits up concerts with music stars, wears jewelry and teenager outfits.... instead of a gifted athlete who's actually playing the game of hockey, you know?

Did they do that sh-t with Crosby or Ovechkin for example, paint him as some kid who lived life as if he were a juvenile teenager pissing around instead of painting him as a superstar hockey player fighting his way to winning a Stanley Cup?

 

[Divine]

Is it within the rules for teams to invite NHL prospects to visit the team's city? Just want to make sure things are being played by the book.

Of course it is. Do prospects have to stay in a dungeon until they get to Buffalo? They can't visit a city?

The only thing that teams can't do is independent physical tests on a player outside of the combine. Even in Arizona's case, it wasn't black and white. They got an infraction for asking prospects to wear shorts and t-shirts and asking them questions about their fitness. No measurements or actual testing was done. The NHL ruled that was considered physical testing somehow - some other executives in the league said they did not view that as physical testing. The CBA was not black and white with what constituted physical testing - and somehow argued asking questions about fitness while exposing your arms and legs was considered physical testing as they felt Arizona was trying to get an edge with extra tests outside of the combine.

The new CBA made the rules more clear being they were open to interpretation previously. The NHL makes it sound like they ran an illegal draft combine though so people run with that because it's funnier.

 

[Phion Keneuf]

So hyped.

I really really hope Chayka doesn’t galaxy brain it. McKenna is going to be unreal.

 

[Mickey Marner]

McKenna leading the combine in VO2 max is a good sign. One of the few measurements besides official height & weight that I’m interested in.

 

[Buckley]

If the leafs can sign Raddysh as a free agent their power play should be top 5 in the league this year.

This is what I have said from the moment the league gave the Leafs the lottery. McKenna and Raddysh will each push 70 points next season on the Leafs.

 

[Puckstuff]

This is what I have said from the moment the league gave the Leafs the lottery. McKenna and Raddysh will each push 70 points next season on the Leafs.

70 is a lot for McKenna. Kane did it but he was truly an outlier and a generational winger. That type of production is so rare in year 1.

Year 1 point totals for some 1st overalls and top prospects

Thornton - 7 pts
Kucherov - 18 pts
Stamkos 46 pts
Kessel - 29 pts
J.Hughes - 21 pts
Eichel - 56 pts
Bedard - 61 pts
Celebrini - 63 pts
Mackinnon - 63 pts

 

[Wilzo]

Why did you leave Matthews off the list?

40 goals, 69 points.

I can definintely see 55-65 points for McKenna as a rookie.

 

[Hellcat]

Conspiracy Theory, edition #4593

We all know Vegas tampered with Marner months before the end of his final season in Toronto, start the 1st OA conspiracy .... Bettman is scared of the Vegas owner, to save face Gary told the Leafs they will get the #1 OA if they don't file tampering charges against Vegas... ergo why the Leafs did not think they had to do a hard tank, just enough to get top (bottom) 5, they already knew 1st OA was theirs.

 

[Hellcat]

70 is a lot for McKenna. Kane did it but he was truly an outlier and a generational winger. That type of production is so rare in year 1.

Year 1 point totals for some 1st overalls and top prospects

Thornton - 7 pts
Kucherov - 18 pts
Stamkos 46 pts
Kessel - 29 pts
J.Hughes - 21 pts
Eichel - 56 pts
Bedard - 61 pts
Celebrini - 63 pts
Mackinnon - 63 pts

McKenna is an elite PP guy, historically the Leafs dont draw a lot of PIM's... if we are to max out McKenna's potential, Leafs will need to figure out a style that drives more PP chances, they need to get faster, more aggressive, more of a puck possession team .

 

[Gallagbi]

McKenna is an elite PP guy, historically the Leafs dont draw a lot of PIM's... if we are to max out McKenna's potential, Leafs will need to figure out a style that drives more PP chances, they need to get faster, more aggressive, more of a puck possession team .

I don't think relocation is an option. We've been a skilled puck possession team in the past and that was deemed "not the right build" for PPs

 

[Fogelhund]

70 is a lot for McKenna. Kane did it but he was truly an outlier and a generational winger. That type of production is so rare in year 1.

Year 1 point totals for some 1st overalls and top prospects

Thornton - 7 pts
Kucherov - 18 pts
Stamkos 46 pts
Kessel - 29 pts
J.Hughes - 21 pts
Eichel - 56 pts
Bedard - 61 pts
Celebrini - 63 pts
Mackinnon - 63 pts

A suggestion that McKenna had the opportunity to eclipse those guys in points is not a commentary on those players, or McKenna, rather the situation that they’ve been dropped into.

McKenna is being dropped into a team with some elite offensive talents already.

 

[Wilzo]

I get people being down on the PP in recent years, but throughout the Matthews era (2016-2026), the Leafs have been top 3 on avg. Only the Oilers and Lightning have been better.

McKenna + better coaching can easily make them one of the better PP's again.

 

[sd1976]

The only worry is that MLSE does the same thing with him that they did with Matthews: roll out the red carpet and turn him into a 'celebrity first, hockey player second' by inserting ego into his head by featuring him in hundreds of promotional videos that have nothing to do with hockey and by spoiling him at every turn before he even plays his first game.

Unlike they did with Matthews, they have to keep him humble and make him work for his rewards, not simply reward him before he ever sets foot on the ice. Don't fill his head with ego and make him some kind of fashion celebrity movie star. Keep him focused on hockey and not create any kind of impression that he's this party dude who likes to hang with celebrities after the game and go to concerts and put on outrageous costumes. I never saw Crosby, Ovechkin, Gretzky etc as those types of guys even though I'm sure there's footage of that kind of stuff out there but it's never been their main identity like it has been with several of these Leaf players the last 10 years. We get it players are humans too and want to have fun outside of the game but it seemed like the non-hockey promo material they showed us about some of our players were just juvenile and far outweighed the amount of material containing them actually involved in the game.

Let's see if they learn from these past mistakes or if they're just going to do it all over again.

In fairness, Gretzky was on Young and the Restless and married a starlet.

 

[sd1976]

70 is a lot for McKenna. Kane did it but he was truly an outlier and a generational winger. That type of production is so rare in year 1.

Year 1 point totals for some 1st overalls and top prospects

Thornton - 7 pts
Kucherov - 18 pts
Stamkos 46 pts
Kessel - 29 pts
J.Hughes - 21 pts
Eichel - 56 pts
Bedard - 61 pts
Celebrini - 63 pts
Mackinnon - 63 pts

You forgot Matthews and Mcdavid in that list. Just sayin

 

[Wilzo]

In fairness, Gretzky was on Young and the Restless and married a starlet.

He had his own breakfast cereal, remember Pro Stars?

Some players can do all the off ice stuff and it doesn't distract from their play. Players are wired certain ways.

 

[Zybalto]

I'd hold off on any insane projections for McKennas first year quite yet.

We dont know what coach/type of team the Leafs are putting together quite yet and I'd be super happy if he puts up 40-50 points as a rookie to get his feet wet.

Theres going to be an adjustment period and he's always shown his hockey IQ and work ethic will drive him forward.

If he only manages 20-30 and looks out of place his first year, we cant get on him too hard either. He's an 18 year old remember.

 

[ToneDog]

I'd hold off on any insane projections for McKennas first year quite yet.

We dont know what coach/type of team the Leafs are putting together quite yet and I'd be super happy if he puts up 40-50 points as a rookie to get his feet wet.

Theres going to be an adjustment period and he's always shown his hockey IQ and work ethic will drive him forward.

If he only manages 20-30 and looks out of place his first year, we cant get on him too hard either. He's an 18 year old remember.

Leafs fans understand the game. No way fans "get on him" if he plays like an ordinary 18 year old.

 

[sd1976]

I'd hold off on any insane projections for McKennas first year quite yet.

We dont know what coach/type of team the Leafs are putting together quite yet and I'd be super happy if he puts up 40-50 points as a rookie to get his feet wet.

Theres going to be an adjustment period and he's always shown his hockey IQ and work ethic will drive him forward.

If he only manages 20-30 and looks out of place his first year, we cant get on him too hard either. He's an 18 year old remember.

I’d bet money he is 60+ next season. He is just to talented.

 

[Zybalto]

Leafs fans understand the game. No way fans "get on him" if he plays like an ordinary 18 year old.

Hey, our fanbase is the largest in the world and now that everyone has a voice, there will be some that are going to get on the kid.

Just look at the McKenna thread in the prospect forum. Half of it is pretty awful.