The Toronto Maple Leafs opened the 2026 NHL Draft on Friday night in Buffalo by selecting Penn State winger Gavin McKenna with the No. 1 overall pick, according to CBS Sports and Yahoo Sports. McKenna is expected to make an instant impact on an already loaded Toronto offense.
The first round featured several surprises and trades. The Anaheim Ducks executed a blockbuster trade during the draft, as reported by the New York Post, though full terms were not immediately disclosed. The Calgary Flames drafted Michigan State's fourth first-round selection — future Spartan center Chase Reid. In total, four incoming Michigan State freshmen — Chase Reid, Nikita Klepov, Ethan Belchetz, and Jack Hextall — heard their names called in the first round, according to Yahoo Sports.
The Florida Panthers did not make any selections in the first round, despite owning the No. 9 pick and another first-rounder. Yahoo Sports noted that the team faced a "constant buzz of what-ifs" but stood pat. The New York Islanders, meanwhile, drafted Swedish defenseman Malte Gustafsson with the 13th overall pick — a tall, swift-skating left-side defender who has already played pro hockey for HV71 in Sweden at age 17.
The NHL Draft continues with Rounds 2 through 7 on Saturday. The Sharks, who also held multiple first-round picks, are widely expected to continue loading up their prospect pool. The Islanders, who entered the draft with four picks, will have additional opportunities to add young talent in the later rounds.
"He's a dynamic player who will fit in well with our core," a Maple Leafs source said of McKenna, according to CBS Sports. Anaheim's trade and the Panthers' inaction leave lingering questions about roster moves ahead of free agency.