Gavin McKenna poised as Maple Leafs’ first‑overall pick amid 2026 QMJHL draft selections

Toronto’s Maple Leafs are said to have told Swedish forward Gavin McKenna they intend to select him with the first overall pick in the 2026 NHL Draft, ending weeks of speculation. The report, credited to Shawn Hutcheon of The Fourth Period, notes McKenna’s standout U‑18 World Championship performance, where he posted 20 points and out‑scored several future NHL stars.

In the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League’s 2026 draft, seven players from Laval were chosen. Forward Elijah Sylla went 62nd overall to the Voltigeurs de Drummondville, goalie George‑Nektarios Panagakos was taken 83rd by the Tigres de Victoriaville, and left‑wing Justin Cardillo was selected 88th by the Remparts de Québec. Additional picks included goalie Caleb Pelletier (123rd, Islanders de Charlottetown), right‑wing Daniele Di Marzo (139th, Regina Regiment), centre Mathis Khoury (158th, Drummondville), and centre Dominic Duplantie (213th, Armada de Blainville‑Boisbriand). Defender Alexandre Deschamps, though not from Laval, was also drafted 63rd overall by the Cataractes de Shawinigan.