Taking at look at Maple Leafs' picks on Day 2 of NHL draft

Дата публикации: 27-06-2026 17:49:12

The 2026 National Hockey League draft wrapped up on Saturday with Rounds 2-7 at the KeyBank Center in Buffalo

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Following his first draft as general manager of the Maple Leafs, John Chayka was feeling pretty good.

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There’s no mystery as to why.

After taking Gavin McKenna first overall on Friday night, Chayka used nine picks in Rounds 2-6 on Saturday (Toronto didn’t have a seventh-rounder), to start to restock a Leafs prospect cupboard that isn’t close to full.

“We did some things that certainly feel like help us in the long term, and they’re long-term bets, and they’ll take time,” Chayka said of the picks made on Saturday. “And we’re trying to do some things in the short term, here to put the best team on the ice next season.

“Overall, a really nice portfolio. Started off with an elite game-breaking player, and then some good defencemen, back-to-back goalies, a few forwards mixed in there.”

The Leafs kicked the day off in taking Kitchener Rangers defenceman Alexander Bilecki in the second round. By the time the draft was done, the Leafs added four defencemen, three forwards and two goalies to their prospect pool.

That doesn’t include McKenna, who is expected to step into the lineup in 2026-27 and make an impact right away.

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No limit to McKenna’s potential

“I would say the sky’s the limit,” Leafs assistant general manager, player evaluation Judd Brackett said of McKenna’s potential. “The skill and hockey sense speaks for itself, but I think this year, you see Gavin take the challenge to go play against older players (Penn State in the NCAA), and have a bit of a push back on him to start the year. To see him recalibrate at the world junior, go back (to school) with that confidence and continue to score, not that anyone doubted that he would.

“When you’re forecasting his future, if he runs into a bump in the road, I think it’s still going to be opportunistic.”

Bilecki talked media in Buffalo after his name was called by the Leafs and said he would go to Leafs games with a friend who has season tickets.

“A lot of skill,” Bilecki said of the Leafs. “Maybe I can be a part of that do something special. That’s my goal.

“I was a big fan. Great rink. Really cool.”

What does Bilecki think about he could provide one day?

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“My skating and hockey IQ (are assets),” Bilecki said. “The way I see the ice, the plays you will see me make. Be dynamic offensively and contribute that way.”

And where can he improve?

“My strength, for sure,” Bilecki said. “Filling into my frame. I’m a lanky guy, so just keep on eating and putting on (muscle), and I can round out my game and become a player.”

A glance at the Maple Leafs’ picks on Day 2 of the 2026 National Hockey League draft on Saturday in Buffalo:

Alexander Bilecki, D, Kitchener Rangers, OHL

Second round, 60th overall

The 6-foot-2, 181-pound Mississauga native had a fine second season in the OHL, recording 29 points (nine goals and 20 assists) in 66 games. A left-handed shot, Bilecki had 11 points in 18 playoff games and then had three assists in four Memorial Cup games as Kitchener won the title. He was a contributor in all situations and is an efficient puck mover.

Brackett: “You want winners, that’s part of building culture and the room you want. It’s the role he played on the team. Top-four minutes, a chance to win the Memorial Cup. He’s going to continue to build off the successes that team had, and his role will continue to expand with Kitchener. We’re really excited about that.”

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Ethan MacKenzie, D, Edmonton Oil Kings, WHL

Second round, 69th overall

Interesting pick, as Mackenzie, who turns 20 in September, was passed over in the past two NHL drafts. At 6-foot-1 and 187 pounds, the British Columbia native brings physicality and some offensive juice from the point, as he had 22 goals and 36 assists in 59 games for the Oil Kings last season. He played for Canada at the 2026 world junior championship and had five points in seven games. Committed to the University of North Dakota for next season.

Brackett: “A great story and a good testament to the scouts to continue evaluating players. It’s not just in their first year. Ethan had a great year, made the world junior team. He had some injury history in his WHL years, but he’s continued to grow, continued to expand his game. And with a chance to go to NCAA gives him a little more runway.”

Zach Olsen, RW, Saskatoon, WHL

Third round, 73rd overall

One of the picks acquired from the St. Louis Blues in the Brandon Carlo trade. Olsen, an 18-year-old Calgary native, had 34 points in 57 games for the Blades and six in 10 playoff games. Committed to Colorado College for 2026-27, the 6-foot-1, 203-pounder boasts skating and speed among his top assets.

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Mans Gudmunsson, D, Farjestad Jr., Sweden

Third round, 76th overall

The other pick acquired in the Carlo swap. The 6-foot-3, 185-pound native of Skovde, Sweden, had 25 points (one goal and 24 assists) in 35 games for the Farjestad juniors club. The 18-year-old right shot is at his best when he is physical and plays with an aggressive edge, but will need to become a better skater to eventually make a jump to pro hockey in North America.

Read More

1. 

   Maple Leafs pick Gavin McKenna first overall: ‘A dream come true’

2. 

   Why Gavin McKenna will have a strong support group with Maple Leafs

3. 

   Why Maple Leafs traded Brandon Carlo to St. Louis Blues

Juuso Ainasto, G, Jokerit Jr., Finland

Third round, 85th overall

The 18-year-old Finn split his 2025-26 season between the under-18 and under-20 clubs in Jokerit last season. He shone with the under-18 side, posting a .925 save percentage in 12 playoff games. At 6-foot-4, 198 pounds, Ainasto plays an effective butterfly style and is confident, challenging shooters when required. Second goalie taken by the Leafs in three years (Timofei Obvintsev, 157th overall, 2024).

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Brackett: “With Ainasto, there’s the size, and maybe a little bit more runway in front of him. His body is a little more immature, but we’re excited about his stylistic play and foundation that he has.”

Patriks Plumins, G, Zemgale, Latvia

Fourth round, 114th overall

The 6-foot-3, 216-pound netminder fills the net and also is strong positionally. The 18-year-old Latvia native had a .927 save percentage and three shutouts for Zemgale in Latvia’s top hockey league. His size and confidence allows him to challenge shooters and properly cut angles down.

Brackett: “Plumins had a very good U18 in April, we like the size to compete, the athletic nature.”

Cooper Williams, C, Saskatoon, WHL

Fifth round, 158th overall

At 6-foot-1, 168 pounds, the 18-year-old Calgary native will have to pack some muscle on to his frame. After putting up 57 points in 68 games as a WHL rookie two years ago, he had that same total in 66 games in 2025-26. Williams has become a solid two-way player in two major junior seasons and has a good mind for the defensive side. Committed to the University of North Dakota next season.

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Yaroslav Fedoseyev, D, Chelyabinsk, Russia

Sixth round, 161st overall

The 18-year-old defenceman is expected play for his hometown team Traktor Chelyabinsk of the KHL, on a full-time basis next season. He got into nine games with the KHL side, scoring one goal, spending much of the season with Chelyabinsk’s teams in junior and the lower pro league. The 6-foot-1, 187-pounder is good at boxing out in front of the net and plays with a consistent mean streak. The Leafs traded up to take Fedoseyev, sending a fifth-round pick in 2027 to Vancouver for the choice.

Brackett: “That was a player that not just the scouts, but also from a data perspective, and from across multiple departments, he was a player that was strongly identified. We felt good about it, and it was too good of an opportunity to pass on.”

Brody Pepoy, RW, Saginaw, OHL

Sixth round, 169th overall

In one season with the Spirit, Pepoy, a Michigan native, had 16 goals and 13 assists in 67 games. The 6-foot-2, 181-pound forward is committed to Lindenwood University next season. The 18-year-old has a motor that never stops and plays with fearlessness on every shift. Bit of a project but there’s some upside just the same.

tkoshan@postmedia.com

X: @koshtorontosun

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