Ivar Stenberg had some interesting comments about the Toronto Maple Leafs

Toronto chose Gavin McKenna over Ivar Stenberg as the first overall pick in 2026, and the Sharks forward almost feels relieved he wasn't drafted by the Maple Leafs.

It was the big debate this summer: Gavin McKenna or Ivar Stenberg? Both prospects had a legitimate shot at being first overall and the Maple Leafs had the choice of a lifetime. Stenberg is fantastic but the opportunity to pass up McKenna (and the marketing opportunities coming with it) wasn't gonna happen with John Chayka.

Instead, Stenberg went #2 to the Sharks and ended up filling out a lineup full of young superstars led by Macklin Celebrini and Will Smith. He's thriving too, with six points in eight games and showing the exact reason why he was such a highly touted prospect.

Stenberg didn't like his conversations with the Maple Leafs

But in a recent interview with the East Bay Times, Stenberg confessed that going to the Sharks was a bit of a blessing, and decided to give some insight into the pre-draft situation.

Stenberg explained his interviews with Toronto weren't the best, and it seems like they were already committed to McKenna despite Stenberg being just as good a pick:

I was pretty sure I would not go first overall. I didn't have good meetings with Toronto and didn't feel like it was the team for me. I had met with (the Leafs) during the year, but I don't know. They wanted another guy, and I accept that. But I'm super happy I'm with the Sharks.

He should be happy, as his Sharks are currently 4-3-1 in the Pacific while the Maple Leafs toil in the Atlantic's basement with Detroit - holding a 3-4-2 record.

You have to wonder who had more of a voice between Chayka and Mats Sundin when it came to drafting McKenna, as the Swedish connection between Sundin and Stenberg could have been something truly special - not to mention chemistry and a chance to play with William Nylander, Oliver Ekman-Larsson, and be coached by Daniel Alfredsson.

Gavin McKenna is an incredible pick, but Stenberg remains a huge 'what if?'

Going back to what was written above, there is certainly a bigger Swedish contingent in Toronto and Sundin is at the forefront.

His partnership with Alfredsson outside of the International level is something you'd never convince a Maple Leaf fan of 20 years ago, and they already have two of the best Swedish players of the modern era on their team.

The flashiness and creativity of McKenna are exciting, but you have to question if Stenberg's reliability and consistency would better help Toronto now. McKenna is also currently averaging a minute and a half less than Stenberg, so you have to also wonder if that's a product of a bad coach or not the right fit.

We'll never know how Stenberg would have done in Toronto and right now all we have is hindsight to look back on. Though for him it seems like he's more than happy soaking up the sun in California while McKenna sits in the frostier Ontario weather.

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