With the 161st pick in the 2026 NHL Draft, the Toronto Maple Leafs selected defenceman Yaroslav Fedoseyev.

Fedoseyev posted a goal and six points in 25 games with Chelyabinsk Chelmet of the All-Russian Hockey League. He is a 6-foot-1, 187-pound defenceman with latent offensive upside, although his game is centred around physicality.

Here’s what Daily Faceoff prospect expert Steven Ellis wrote about Fedoseyev, following the pick:

Toronto acquired the No. 161 selection from the Vancouver Canucks, in exchange for a 2027 5th-round pick previously belonging to the Ottawa Senators, which was acquired in the Samuel Ersson trade. Chayka executed four trades involving players, prior to Saturday’s draft. Toronto traded defenceman Brandon Carlo to the St. Louis Blues, in exchange for the No. 73 and No. 76 picks, as part of Chayka’s efforts to overhaul the blue line. During the offseason, Toronto also added Darren Raddysh in a sign-and-trade with the Tampa Bay Lightning, and ar expected to make a competitive offer to RFA Emil Andrae.

There’s been some clear emphasis on finding defencemen in this year’s draft. Toronto selected Alexander Bilecki with the No. 60 pick, Ethan MacKenzie with the No. 69 pick, and Måns Gudmundsson with the No. 76 pick on Saturday. There’s been an emphasis on finding defenders with size and some offensive upside throughout John Chayka’s first year with the Maple Leafs.

Toronto also selected forward Gavin McKenna with the first overall pick. McKenna was formally introduced to Leafs reporters on Saturday, and is expected to attend Saturday’s Toronto Blue Jays game.

Chayka and the Maple Leafs are expected to meet reporters following the end of the draft, where we’ll likely get a better understanding of where Fedoseyev fits into the team’s plans.

Daily Faceoff is your Free Agency Headquarters! Big moves. Breaking news. Instant analysis. Daily Faceoff is bringing the team together July 1st for a live Free Agency Special featuring Jeff Marek, Tyler Yaremchuk, Carter Hutton, and Dave Pagnotta. Tune in at noon ET on the Daily Faceoff YouTube Channel and socials for full coverage as the NHL landscape changes – with the PuckPedia-powered signing tracker keeping you up to date on every deal as it happens.