Maple Leafs Win Draft Lottery, Sharks Target Defense, Canucks Poised to Pounce

The Toronto Maple Leafs won the 2026 NHL Draft Lottery and will hold the No. 1 overall pick, setting the tone for a pivotal draft that could reshape the Canadian hockey landscape. With the San Jose Sharks and Vancouver Canucks also in the top five, the race for top prospects like Ivar Stenberg and Gavin McKenna is heating up.

The Leafs’ decision at No. 1 is already fueling speculation. Most fans and analysts believe they’ll target an NHL-ready forward, with Swedish prospect Ivar Stenberg as the top name. Standing 6'2" and 205 pounds, Stenberg dominated the SHL with 62 points in 60 games this season. His two-way game and physicality align with the Leafs’ system, and his connection to Maple Leafs legend Mats Sundin is a bonus. However, some insiders suggest the Leafs could pivot to defense, with Chase Reid and Keaton Verhoeff also in the mix.

Meanwhile, the Sharks have been linked to the blue line since general manager Mike Grier took over. Sources say San Jose will likely take a top defenseman at No. 2 or 4. Reid, a 6'3" blueliner from the USNTDP, is projected to go No. 2 overall. He had 38 points in 55 games this season and is known for his skating and offensive instincts. If Reid is gone, Keaton Verhoeff, a 6'4" defenceman from the WHL, is a strong alternative. Verhoeff tallied 54 points in 60 games and could be a long-term cornerstone.

Vancouver is sitting at No. 3 and has the most flexibility. The Canucks could stay put or trade up if the board falls their way. Gavin McKenna, a 6'1", 195-pound center with elite speed and a 2.92 career points-per-game average in the USHL, is the big name here. If he slides to No. 3, it’s a steal. If not, Ivar Stenberg or Caleb Malhotra, a 6'1" center with 58 points in 58 games, are strong options. Vancouver could also consider moving down for extra picks.

The Calgary Flames are not in the top five but remain active in the rumor mill. The Flames have three first-round picks and could package assets to move up if the board breaks their way. Defensemen like Carson Carels and Alberts Smitskeep are on their radar, as is forward Chase Reid. Calgary’s front office has shown a willingness to be aggressive in past drafts.

As the draft approaches, the Maple Leafs will set the tone, the Sharks will dictate the direction, and the Canucks will react. The Flames could be the wild card. With top prospects like Stenberg, Reid, Verhoeff, and McKenna on the board, the first round of the 2026 Draft is shaping up to be one of the most consequential in recent memory. The Leafs will make their pick on June 26, and the ripple effects will be felt across the league.