The Toronto Maple Leafs have now got their draft selection set and with eight picks this year including first overall, they could find some serious talent this June.
With the conclusion of the 2026 Stanley Cup Final, the NHL has now solidified their draft order for the 2026 NHL Draft. The Toronto Maple Leafs picked up the first overall pick and they are going to have a fair share of options not only at #1 but with their seven other picks in the draft.
It's not like they have a ton of first round picks but they do have a few interesting middle-round options that could see them find a hidden gem and looking at some of the history with previous picks - they may be in good hands.
Maple Leafs learn their draft order and have eight picks they can use to draft or trade away
It was revealed by the NHL the entire draft order for all seven rounds of the 2026 Draft and the Toronto Maple Leafs currently hold the following picks:
- 1st
- 60th
- 69th
- 85th
- 114th
- 158th
- 169th
Now that's not incredibly impressive given they don't have many picks the prime rounds (1, 2) but they have tried to load up in the back end. Eight picks is still fair bit of capital and there's no telling how many more they may add in various deals leading up to and at the draft.
The first pick is pretty obviously the best pick you can get but having the 60th pick isn't terrible as it's still in that range of finding some talent who was left behind. Those later picks aren't really special however they can be used as ammunition for a future deal for a player or to move up in the draft if they so chose.
Looking back at Toronto's history with their current draft selection
Toronto has certainly had their fair share of draft picks in their history, and they've pretty much had every number you can think of, so let's take a look back at some of those picks who made it and who didn't.
1st overall: Wendel Clark
There's not a lot you can't say about Clark. 564 points in 793 games, a former captain and a beloved icon, Clark was drafted first overall in 1985 and immediately made an impact with 34 goals and 45 points in his rookie year, finishing runner-up in the Calder Trophy race.
He finished his tenure in Toronto with 441 points and over 1,500 PIM as he was someone who could give you a hat-trick or a bunch of fights. No one messed with anyone when Clark was on the ice and he became a beloved staple who is deeply admired to this very day.
60th overall: Jimmy Hayes
Hayes was drafted 60th overall in 2008 by the Maple Leafs but was traded to the Chicago Blackhawks during the 2010 Draft. He spent seven years in the NHL and played 334 games and amassed 109 points.
He comes from a hockey family as his brother Kevin also plays in the NHL, meanwhile he is cousins with the Tkachuk family (Brady, Keith and Matthew). Tragically, Hayes passed away at 31 years old in 2021.
69th overall: Ted Crowley
Crowley was a player who many aren't going to know given that he didn't play much in the NHL but he did put together a solid AHL career as an offensive defenceman. He recorded 184 points in five seasons including a 57-point season with St. John in 1991-92.
Crowley's been away from hockey from quite some time though his wife Katie is currently the head coach of Boston College for their women's NCAA team.
85th overall: Mike Palmateer
Palmateer was one of the most beloved goaltenders in Maple Leafs history. The 5-foot-9 goalie put together a 129-112-41 record with the Maple Leafs from 1976-1980 with two more seasons from 1982-84.
He was known for not only his small stature but larger than life personality, but he was also one of the more offensive goalies we've seen as he recorded 25 assists and was surprisingly aggressive with 118 career PIM.
114th overall: Bill McCreary
McCreary is a name well-known around the NHL but not because of Bill (who was drafted 114th by Toronto in 1979) but for his cousin Bill; who was a referee for nearly two decades and was known for his iconic bushy moustache.
McCreary only played12 games with the Maple Leafs in his career but did manage to score an NHL goal, and it was the only NHL action he saw in his entire career, as he spent most of it in the IHL.
158th overall: John Mitchell
Mitchell is a throwback to those Maple Leafs fans from the late 2000s to early 2010. He was a scrappy, defensive forward who loved to hit and get physical. He added 55 points in 159 games for the team before being traded to the Rangers.
He spent another six season in the NHL with New York and Colorado and he managed 122 points in 389 games combined. He last played in 2018-19 with EHC Munchen in the DEL and now coaches minor hockey in Okangan, Colorado.
169th overall: Todd Whittemore
Finally we come to the player who has the least amount of fanfare of the bunch. Whittemore was drafted 169th overall in 1985 but decided to spend four years at Providence College in the NCAA and one season in the ECHL with the Richmond Renegades before retiring.
Whittemore stepped out of the spotlight pretty quickly though does still take the time occasionally to help with skating camps, and was Durfee, MA's high school varsity head coach as well as Director of Athletics in 2009.
Conclusion
Well, that certainly is a mixed bag of selections and we can clearly see that the NHL Draft is something that holds hall of fame talent, great role players, surprises, and your share of guys who never made it.
It's a pretty good indicator of what to expect from the Maple Leafs though with how much John Chayka has shaken things up, these picks aren't guaranteed to stick around - and we could see them getting a more favourable slot come June 26th.
Do you think the Maple Leafs will be able to draft a star player besides Gavin McKenna?
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