Toronto Maple Leafs claim No. 1 draft spot while Auston Matthews' future stays unclear

The Toronto Maple Leafs won the 2026 NHL Draft Lottery, moving to the top of the order and selecting winger Gavin McKenna from Penn State with the first overall pick. The club hopes the pick will help secure veteran center Auston Matthews for the long term and revive a franchise that has struggled in recent seasons.

Separately, Matthews has publicly expressed uncertainty about his contract situation, telling reporters he "can't predict the future" and that the team’s new president of hockey operations, John Chayka, "isn't sure what the future holds for him." The comments underscore ongoing questions about Matthews' long‑term commitment to Toronto.