Leafs GM John Chayka is taking calls on the first overall pick

The Toronto Maple Leafs goal is to use their first overall pick in the 2026 NHL Draft, but have signaled a willingness to listen to offers.

A recent report from Pierre LeBrun in 'The Athletic' outlined how the Leafs could move the top pick if the right offer comes in to attract GM John Chayka.

Not that the Maple Leafs are intent on moving the No. 1 pick, but new general manager John Chayka also isn't hanging up the phone if and when teams call. Why would he? If a team steps up in a meaningful way with the kind of package that helps the Leafs get back in contention, Chayka will at least listen, according to league sources. - Pierre LeBrun

-

However, LeBrun points out that the Leafs trading the top pick appears "unlikely", indicating Toronto's focus is to use the pick rather than move it for a veteran piece.

Chayka has not ruled out moving the first overall pick and the right package could change everything about Toronto's offseason

The Toronto Maple Leafs appear to be leaning towards using their top pick rather than dealing it, indicating that the team feels they can get a win-now piece to bolster the lineup.

But the willingness to hear out offers, which is a normal move by teams with the top pick, is also the chance to look for a piece that can contribute sooner than whoever goes first.

Needing this season to be a rebound following a failure to make the postseason, Toronto's only focus is how to improve the roster right away, whether it comes from keeping first overall, or moving it on out.

Captain Auston Matthews has urged the Leafs to improve the roster this offseason, and what Matthews wants could play a part into how the Leafs approach their number one pick.

Other teams in the top five could trade out of their spots and Toronto leads what comes next

Pierre LeBrun adds in his article that the San Jose Sharks, with the second overall pick, and the Chicago Blackhawks with fourth, could both move from their current spots.

The San Jose Sharks lack the need for another forward after drafting such with their first pick in their last six drafts, including in the last two years Macklin Celebrini and Michael Misa, both taken top-two.

San Jose has been linked to right-handed defenseman Chase Reid with the second overall pick, potentially passing on one of the two top players in the draft in Gavin McKenna and Ivar Stenberg for a position of need, a necessity that could see them move the pick rather than pass on the best player available.

Chicago, who doesn't need a RHD as much as San Jose, could be a team that theoretically moves up to second to take Stenberg, who gives Connor Bedard a much needed winger, with San Jose dropping down to four as long as Vancouver is committed as rumored to leaming towards center Caleb Malhotra at three, allowing Reid to go fourth to San Jose.

This scenario gives Chicago a much needed forward in Stenberg at second, and San Jose can still get it's more needed target in Chase Reid, while being able to get assets for trading down.

Elsewhere, San Jose could appeal for that second pick if they can offer a more veteran RHD option to speed up their rebuild that sets up the blueline to help contend sooner rather than later.

The Toronto Maple Leafs may still dictate how the rest of the draft goes, keeping teams from trading until it's known for sure what the Leafs do with that top pick until John Chayka decides, giving him the cards to control this draft in his favor.

Also read on Hockey Patrol :
Easton Cowan is not the same player he was last season and he just proved it