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Maple Leafs' decision on Gavin McKenna can be written in 'permanent marker' originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
By winning the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NHL Draft through the lottery, the Toronto Maple Leafs put themselves on the clock for a long time.
They have had the whole draft class at their fingertips the whole time. They could take anyone. No one will be leaping in front of them to snag the guy they want.
That means that for a couple months, they've gotten to consider their full feelings on Gavin McKenna.
The Canadian winger, who starred in the WHL for the Medicine Hat Tigers and the NCAA for the Penn State Nittany Lions, has been the presumed top pick in this class for a few years.
Will he actually get that spot on Friday night? That'll be up to Toronto.
One of the foremost experts in this regard, The Athletic's Scott Wheeler, has conviction. In his final mock draft, he says McKenna will indeed be going to Toronto, and he doesn't have doubt anymore.
"You can put this one in permanent marker, and nothing I’ve heard in recent weeks has led me down any other path," Wheeler writes. "As I’ve reported previously, I know the Maple Leafs’ group liked Chase Reid. But there have been murmurs that McKenna was told earlier this month that he was going to be the selection, and other teams have been operating as if it’s a done deal."
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For what it's worth, Wheeler has Iver Stenberg going second to the Sharks and Caleb Malhotra going third to the Canucks.
The Maple Leafs' fanbase likely would want McKenna, the rising Canadian star who could grow into a face of their franchise on the wing -- and increase their chances of winning right now, too.
On Friday night, they'll find out for sure, but it sure seems like it'll be McKenna.
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