Recent articles from Alex Hobson

The Toronto Maple Leafs 2026 NHL Draft class 🍁

8:23 PM · Jun 27, 2026

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In addition to the seven picks they entered Day 2 with, they acquired a pair of third round picks from the St. Louis blues for defenceman Brandon Carlo, and traded a fifth-round pick next season to add another sixth round pick.

At the end of the day, the Leafs left draft weekend with ten new prospects, the most players they’ve drafted in a single class since 2020, and added to each position. If you missed the weekend’s festivities, here’s a quick recap of the Leafs’ 2026 draft class.

Gavin McKenna, LW (Round 1, 1st overall)

It was the worst-kept secret in hockey for the past month and a half, and it finally came to fruition on Friday night. After plummeting in the standings and finishing fifth-last in the NHL, running the risk of giving the Boston Bruins a top-10 pick, the Leafs won the draft lottery and reserved the right to keep their pick and use it on consensus number one Gavin McKenna.

Despite any noise from believers in Ivar Stenberg and/or Chase Reid, McKenna was always going to be the pick. His 51 points in 35 NCAA games last season only scratch the surface of what he’s capable of doing at the NHL level. The Leafs are getting someone who has the playmaking ability to make up for what Mitch Marner left behind and he loves the spotlight, making him a perfect fit for this market. He should join the Leafs immediately in 2026-27.

Alexander Bilecki, D (Round 2, 60th overall)

Alexander Bilecki is a strong two-way defenceman who improved offensively as the season went on. He was an instrumental part of the Kitchener Rangers’ Memorial Cup-winning team, finishing the season with 29 points in 66 games and 11 points in 18 playoff games.

Alexander Bilecki to Toronto. Bilecki was a big reason why the Rangers went the distance in the OHL. The 6-foot-2 defender showed some decent offensive upside this year while showing a level of fearlessness that few defenders in the OHL displayed this year. He boasts Show more

4:15 PM · Jun 27, 2026

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He will return to play for the Rangers in 2026-27, almost certainly in an equally or even more important role than this season, and his competitiveness will sit well with Maple Leafs fans, telling reporters after his selection that he has a winning mentality and looks forward to bringing it to Toronto.

Ethan MacKenzie, D (Round 3, 69th overall)

Ethan MacKenzie might provide better value than anybody else in this draft class. While he’s slightly older than the majority of the draft class, getting selected in his third year of eligibility, he’s made a name for himself by forcing his way into opportunities and making the best of them.

Ethan MacKenzie to Toronto. MacKenzie was a surprise addition to Canada’s World Junior team, and he didn’t disappoint. It was a solid enough stretch that helped ensure he would be selected this year after being passed over twice. MacKenzie’s ability to win individual battles Show more

4:29 PM · Jun 27, 2026

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MacKenzie had 58 points in 59 games this season and will face a new challenge in 2026-27, taking his talents to the University of North Dakota. His draft situation is similar to Sean Durzi, a fellow overage player the Leafs drafted in 2019 before trading him in a deal for Jake Muzzin. Between him and Bilecki, the left side of the Leafs’ farm system is looking rejuvenated.

Zach Olsen, RW (Round 3, 73rd overall)

The first of two third-rounders the Maple Leafs acquired from the St. Louis Blues, Zach Olsen will be a popular player with fans of in-your-face hockey. The 6-foot-1, 203-pound right-winger finished his second WHL season with 18 goals and 34 points in 57 games along with 79 PIMs.

Zach Olsen to Toronto. Olsen was one of my favorite WHLers this year, and opponents cited him as one of the toughest players to go up against in the WHL. He’s smart, nimble and has a powerful wrister he loves to show often. Olsen is a hard-working forward who has really Show more

4:33 PM · Jun 27, 2026

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If Olsen can improve his offensive totals as he wraps up his junior career, there’s probably a future for him in the NHL as a bottom-six energy forward. As Ellis alludes to, he’s hard to play against and will get to put that to the test in the NCAA next season, as he begins a new chapter with Colorado College.

Mans Gudmundsson, D (Round 3, 76th overall)

By this point in the draft, it became obvious that stocking the pipeline on the back end was a priority on Day 2 for John Chayka and his staff. After adding two left-handed defensive prospects, the Leafs went overseas and picked up a righty in Mans Gudmundsson (if you’re up to date on Toronto slang, you’ll understand why this is such a fitting pick).

Måns Gudmundsson to Toronto. Gudmundsson’s 6-foot-3 frame is intriguing as a starting point. So what happens when he shows off his puck skills, too? Gudmundsson had 25 points in 35 games at the Swedish U-20 level and had a solid showing en route to a gold at the U-18 World Show more

4:39 PM · Jun 27, 2026

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Gudmundsson has good size and impressed at the Swedish junior level this year, as Steven said, and could get more of an opportunity with Farjestad’s big club this season. His production at the junior level is intriguing, and he could be a fun prospect once he puts on weight and adds a little more bite to his game.

Juuso Ainasto, G (Round 3, 85th overall)

Artur Akhtyamov’s performance with the Toronto Marlies during their playoff is proof that it’s always worth taking a flier on a goaltender in the draft, maybe even twice (we’ll get to that soon). To close out the fourth of four third round picks by the Maple Leafs, the team selected Finnish netminder Juuso Ainasto.

Juuso Ainasto is a huge goalie. One of the fastest movers you'll find at 6-foot-4. He has quick legs, a good glove hand and isn't afraid to punch someone. A few scouts I talked to think he could be a decent tandem goalie. #NHL @TLNdc

4:54 PM · Jun 27, 2026

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Ainasto has a long way to go, having split time between his U18 team and the U20 team last season, but his numbers with the U18 team (1.74 GAA in 12 regular season games, .947 save percentage in 12 playoff games) the Leafs have nothing but time to work with in the goaltending department, so this is an interesting long-term pick.

Patriks Plumins, G (Round 4, 114th overall)

Why not add another lottery ticket to the pile? Not a lot of people knew Patriks Plumins‘ name heading into this draft, given that he spent the season playing in his home country of Latvia. But he had strong numbers there, playing to a .927 SV% and a 1.50 GAA with Zemgale in 16 games.

Patriks Plūmiņš to Toronto. You always have to be a bit careful when boosting a goaltender following a late-season tournament. But, honestly, many could have expected Plūmiņš’ incredible showing at the U-18 World Championship. He earned some MVP honors after leading the team to Show more

6:09 PM · Jun 27, 2026

His strong performance at the U18s shows that there’s some intrigue to his game despite the relatively weak competition in Latvia. And, again, you truly never know with goalies. More kicks at the can is better than less.

Cooper Williams, C (Round 5, 158th overall)

A teammate of fellow 2026 Leafs pick Zach Olsen and a potential future teammate of another 2026 Leafs pick in Ethan MacKenzie, Cooper Williams is a strong two-way forward who has displayed consistent offensive ability in two seasons with the WHL’s Saskatoon Blades.

Colin Fitzgerald found Cooper Williams and Canada leads 1-0. #HlinkaGretzkyCup

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3:18 PM · Aug 16, 2025

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Williams undoubtedly has to bulk up, weighing in at 163 points while standing at 6-foot-1, but his 57 points in 66 games for the Blades were good for second on the team in scoring and he’ll have another opportunity to improve those totals this season. He’s committed to the University of North Dakota for the 2027-28 season.

Yaroslav Fedoseyev, D (Round 6, 161st overall)

The last defenceman drafted in the Leafs’ 2026 draft class, Yaroslav Fedoseyev is a right-handed blueliner who thrives on physicality. In 49 combined games between the MHL (Russia’s junior league) and the VHL (Russia’s second-tier pro league), he recorded 19 points along with 61 penalty minutes.

Yaroslav Fedoseyev to Toronto. It was nice getting to see him in some late-season KHL matches. He's more about shutting you down and getting in the way physically than trying to do much with the puck. He likes to hurt people. #NHLDraft @TLNdc

7:11 PM · Jun 27, 2026

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The Leafs traded a fifth-round pick next season to acquire the pick to take Fedoseyev this year, so the team clearly sees something in him. He’s got a long developmental path ahead of him, but if he can improve his puck-moving abilities in years to come, that combined with his mean streak could make for a fun prospect.

Brody Pepoy, RW (Round 6, 169th overall)

Closing out the Leafs’ 2026 NHL Draft class is sixth-round pick Brody Pepoy, who spent this season with the OHL’s Saginaw Spirit. He’s yet another prospect who the Leafs seemed to get later than they were expected to go.

Brody Pepoy to Toronto. Hard-working forward who isn't afraid of anyone. He plays with a ton of skill, even if the execution isn't great. I was surprised to see him fall this far – feels like a guy teams would take a chance on earlier in hopes of being an energy role dude. Show more

7:30 PM · Jun 27, 2026