One trade with the first overall pick gives the Leafs a Marner replacement and the top defenseman they need
Photo credit: Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images
Trade the first overall pick? Toronto would be crazy if they did though there is a world where they can manage to get two holes filled at the same time.
All eyes are going to be on the Maple Leafs now that they hold the first overall pick in the 2026 NHL Draft. No doubt the beneficiary of some serious luck, while fans around the league are perhaps a bit peeved; Leafs fans can rejoice.
That means they have the chance to draft the likes of Gavin McKenna or Ivar Stenberg, though the former is pretty much a foregone conclusion with his addition on Auston Matthews' lineup giving him exactly the superstar he needs to break out once again.
They would be crazy to do anything else but draft one of the two players, but what if there was a world where they could add that phenom on the back end as well as adding a potential franchise-altering cornerstone.
Toronto trades #1 overall pick for a complete overhaul of their entire future
The Maple Leafs could decide to send the first overall pick elsewhere, but more specifically the San Jose Sharks and not only get a chance to draft Stenberg to bolster the forward depth, but also bring in their blueliner of the future:
To San Jose:
2026 1st Overall Pick
To Toronto:
That is a ridiculous blockbuster that could be something that interests San Jose and GM Mike Grier was open to trading his 2nd overall pick as everything is on the table:
I'm always open to listening to what's out there, and if people have ideas or thoughts, I'll listen. We'll kind of go from there. I don't know if it makes it unlikely, but it's obviously a different price tag than trading the ninth pick.
That's a very interesting situation that could lead newly minted GM John Chayka to perhaps contemplate a deal on draft day.
You have your Marner replacement in Stenberg, and your John Tavares protege in Smith. Dickinson is your defender for the next decade and they still walk away with a potential top-10 pick next year.
Talk about an absolute coup.
Why this deal works out for both the Sharks and Maple Leafs
Dickinson, 21, had a solid debut season with the Sharks and is a former teammate of Maple Leafs forward Easton Cowan. He's a two-way monster with the ability to completely dissolve an opponent's opportunity then take the puck up ice and score by himself.
That type of transition offence and defensive acumen is exactly what Toronto needs to replace Morgan Rielly, and it's not like they lose out up front with both Smith (a young blossoming centre who replaces John Tavares) and most likely Stenberg.
That's three prospects to accelerate the retool immensely, and while McKenna is a great piece - when you can add this much capital for one pick - it's certainly worth thinking about.
Plus, you're adding yet another Toronto native who would make for a wonderful story as the young gun who helps elevate the Maple Leafs to the Stanley Cup.
For Grier and the Sharks, it gives them the chance to have their pick of the litter. Whether it be McKenna, Stenberg, Chase Reid or Keaton Verhoeff; he's got options. With San Jose needing defensive help though they could make a surprise choice.
There may even be a world where Toronto ends up with McKenna anyways in addition to a slew of pieces to build around.
The lottery win was the first step in transforming the Maple Leafs, but giving it away could be the quickest and best chance to do it.
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