The Toronto Maple Leafs added a potential franchise cornerstone at the 2026 NHL Draft, and David Alter likes the look of it.
With the first overall pick, Toronto selected Gavin McKenna, the dynamic left winger from Penn State whose blend of skill, pace, and hockey intelligence has long marked him as the class’s top prospect. The Yukon native, who posted 51 points in 35 NCAA games as a freshman, brings a modern, high-skill profile that projects as a top-six complement to Auston Matthews and William Nylander.
The Leafs’ draft haul extended well beyond the top pick. Through a series of maneuvers, including the trade of goaltender Samuel Ersson to the Ottawa Senators for a 2027 fifth-round selection and the departure of defenseman Brandon Carlo in a separate deal that brought back additional mid-round capital, Toronto finished with 10 picks. The class added four forwards, four defensemen and two goaltenders, including promising blueliners such as Alexander Bilecki and Ethan MacKenzie.
Those moves created both immediate roster flexibility and future draft ammunition at a time when the organization is clearly prioritizing depth and optionality.
While the McKenna selection and the broader draft class provide long-term optimism, the most compelling storyline emerging from the weekend centres on Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman Zach Werenski. The reigning Norris Trophy winner, who recorded 81 points in 75 games this season, remains under contract for two more years at a $9.583 million cap hit before becoming an unrestricted free agent in 2028.
According to multiple reports, Werenski’s camp has informed the Blue Jackets that he is very unlikely to sign an extension in Columbus beyond his current deal. That stance prompted general manager Don Waddell to begin fielding trade calls on the 28-year-old ahead of the draft, with the explicit goal of gauging market value while the asset remains at its peak.
Werenski holds a full no-movement clause, but reports have indicated he would consider waiving it for a move to Toronto, the only Canadian team specifically mentioned in that context.
For the Maple Leafs, Werenski represents the type of swing that could meaningfully accelerate their contention window. Pairing his elite offensive instincts, two-way reliability and power-play quarterbacking with the group’s forward depth would immediately upgrade a blue line that struggled for consistency last season. Recent additions such as Darren Raddysh (signed to a long-term deal) and Emil Andrae already signal intent to reshape the back end; Werenski would elevate that group into a clear strength.
The cost would be significant. Columbus is seeking NHL-caliber players rather than futures alone, and any serious Toronto offer would likely revolve around Matthew Knies, whose size, skill and five remaining years of control at $7.75 million make him the most attractive young piece available, supplemented by prospects and some of the newly acquired draft capital.
The risk is real: acquiring a player with only two years of contractual control carries the possibility of a short-term rental if Werenski ultimately chooses free agency in 2028. Yet the shared representation with Matthews and the chance to win at a high level in a major market could improve extension odds.
Beyond a potential Werenski blockbuster, the Leafs’ newfound draft flexibility and cap space created by the Carlo transaction positions them for other aggressive swings before free agency opens July 1. Whether that means additional trades to further reshape the defense, targeted additions up front, or simply retaining the ammunition for midseason or next-summer moves, the organization can’t be accused of standing pat following a disappointing 2025-26 season.
McKenna gives Toronto a high-end prospect to develop alongside its core. Werenski, should a deal materialize, would provide the immediate impact defenseman the roster has lacked. The combination of draft capital, roster adjustments and a willingness to explore big swings has the Leafs positioned for one of their more consequential offseasons in recent memory. The next several weeks will determine just how far they are willing to go.
Even if they have to trade a bit of their future in order to get Werenski, it would be worth it. The Leafs have clearly signaled they are not rebuilding. After the McKenna pick, they do not have their own first-round picks in the next two seasons (they have Colorado’s first-rounder in 2027, which will likely be very late). The time is now.