Toronto faces key decisions, with the first-overall selection seen as the most important. Gavin McKenna and Ivar Stenberg are leading candidates, with McKenna posting 51 points in 35 games at Penn State and Stenberg recording 33 points in 43 games for Frolunda HC in the Swedish Hockey League. McKenna is considered the more likely choice because his profile fits Toronto’s needs, including a marketing angle that can drive jersey sales and generate excitement. Tinus Luc Koblar has produced strongly at the IIHF World Championship with six goals and three assists in eight games, including a game-winning goal for Norway. The goaltending situation heading into next year is also a focus.
"“I think it's pretty close, but he [McKenna] still feels like the guy Toronto's going to pick. From the Maple Leafs' perspective, does it make too much sense to draft this guy? With McKenna, there's also the marketing angle, like here's the star player everybody's heard about for years, and this is the guy that's going to sell jerseys,” Ellis said. “McKenna's the guy that's going to get people talking and make things fun. You're not going to find someone with his hands and hockey sense every year.”"
"“Koblar has taken the hockey world by storm during this World Championship. He has recorded six goals and three assists in eight games, including the game-winning goal during Norway's 2-0 quarterfinal victory over Latvia. Norway will qualify for a top-four finish at the IIHF Worlds for the first time since 1951.”"
"“The 18-year-old was selected by the Maple Leafs during the second round of the 2025 NHL Entry Draft and spent the past season playing for Leksands IF of the SHL.”"
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