Gavin McKenna shines at 2026 NHL Draft Combine as Toronto’s top‑pick debate continues

At the 2026 NHL Draft Combine, forward Gavin McKenna topped the fitness testing, ranking in the top‑25 in eight of fifteen events and posting the best VO₂max result at 65 ml/kg/min. The 5‑ft‑11, 170‑lb winger skipped the World Championships to focus on preparation, reinforcing his status as a leading candidate for the Toronto Maple Leafs’ first‑overall selection, a decision that has become increasingly uncertain after Swedish prospect Ivar Stenberg overtook him in Elite Prospects’ rankings.

Stenberg, who was ill, opted out of the combine’s physical tests but attended meetings, including a dinner with the San Jose Sharks. Other notable performances included defenseman Keaton Verhoeff, who placed in the top‑10 on three events, and forward Chase Reid, who made three top‑25 lists. Several prospects such as Carson Carel and Casey Mutryn also participated, while some, like Caleb Malhotra, missed team dinners. The combine results provide teams with additional data, but scouting and medical evaluations will still shape the final draft order.