The Maple Leafs hit on a 64th pick last year and the 60th pick could be an even bigger steal
Photo credit: Nick Wosika-Imagn Images
The Toronto Maple Leafs could get another impact player in the second round at this year's 2026 NHL Entry Draft.
The Leafs should be pleased with the positive development of last year's second rounder, Tinus Luc Koblar, with Toronto's 64th pick having made it to the pros in the SHL and a key contributor for Norway at the World Championship.
Toronto's focus is on the first overall pick, with their next pick after coming 60th overall, something that could be used to draft a potential talent with untapped upside yet again.
Under new GM John Chayka, analytics will likely take more of a focus in their draft search, and could lead to a return of skill over size closer to the Kyle Dubas era vs their drafting under Brad Treliving.
Players who I expect to be taken earlier than 60th but could make sense for Toronto, such as Pierce Mbuyi, Simas Ignatavicius, & Adam Goljer, are not named.
With the same scouts appearing to remain in Toronto, much of the same philosophy could remain, but skill could lead with their 60th pick.
Lars Steiner could be the international skilled forward in the vein of Koblar
Lars Steiner was limited to just 44 games this season in the QMJHL for Rouyn-Noranda, but looked like a dominant forward who found consistent offense on a team that lost much of it's scoring depth from last season, including first rounder Bill Zonnon.
At 5'10 and 175lbs, Steiner does not have typical NHL size, and doesn't have eye-popping size, but plays with a high level of aggressiveness to fit in an NHL roster, with untapped offensive potential.
Steiner has shown that he can play a mobile, aggressive game with the ability to contribute all over the ice. He also has a heavy shot and good puck accuracy.
Steiner's game has a bit of Evan Rodrigues in it, a crafty middle-six forward who can score and play physical. Steiner could peak as a potential consistent 20 goal scorer.
As Coyotes GM, Chayka rarely drafted out of the QMJHL. Toronto hasn't done so often either, but Steiner is an upside forward who at the end of the second round could provide value.
Alessandro Di Iorio fits Toronto's recent drafting of responsible two-way centers
Like the aforementioned Lars Steiner, Alessandro Di Iorio was someone who missed time this season due to injury, but showed his potential upon return.
While being in charge of the Coyotes, Arizona drafted fifth overall a highly reliable center in Barrett Hayton. Alessandro Di Iorio doesn't compare to Hayton as a prospect, but current Hayton could be a fair comparable.
A former second overall pick in the OHL Priority Selection, Di Iorio had 12 goals and 31 points in 45 games for the Sarnia Sting, along with three points in five games at the U18's.
Di Iorio has been an assistant captain for Canada at the U18's and the Hlinka, and could end up with a letter in the future in the OHL, on the ice just as much of a leader with his 200-ft game.
There is a lack of upside to Di Iorio's game, he is similar to Leafs 2025 third rounder Tyler Hopkins, but with a bit more craftiness.
Di Iorio could be a future 3C, but drafting a center is a question given Hopkins and Koblar were taken last year. Hopkins' Sarnia teammate Beckham Edwards could be another option.
As a right-handed center in a draft lacking that depth beyond the first round, Di Iorio could go a bit earlier than this just based on the handedness and IQ.
Jonas Lagerberg Hoen - the potential biggest question mark in the entire NHL draft
There isn't a lot to go off of Jonas Lagerberg Hoen, just 11 games of action due to injury, not having played since October. He may still be worth a second round pick despite that.
Lagerberg Hoen, who plays on Leksands, the same team as Tinus Luc Koblar, has some traits similar to the Norwegian, being a hard-working forward with size and untapped offensive potential.
Capable of being a center, Lagerberg Hoen is likelier to play on the right wing at the pro level, and could end up as a middle-six forward.
Like Koblar, Lagerberg Hoen could play pro hockey next season, or likely would be if not for his season ending injury, already appearing in two games for the club. With Leksands relegated to the Allsvenskan, Lagerberg Hoen could be a full-timer in the second tier.
A lack of data from Lageberg Hoen is a major question mark that could see him a faller, but he should still be drafted in the top 100. He has the skill to return to action and prove some teams wrong.
Another Leksands forward who could be looked at later in the draft is 6'4 center Adam Andersson, someone who projects as a potential defensive fourth line center but lacks consistency on offense.
Alex Bilecki is headed to the Memorial Cup, and could showcase the playoff pedigree Toronto needs
If The Toronto Maple Leafs select Gavin McKenna first overall, they'll had one of the CHL's best postseason producers to pair with another CHL playoff star in Easton Cowan. One player headed to the playoff in Alex Bilecki could be eyed depending on how his tournament goes.
Bilecki was a contributor to the OHL champion Kitchener Rangers, second in playoff points among 2026 eligibles with 11 points in 18 games. Bilecki had 29 points in 66 games in the regular season with Kitchener.
The defenseman is a mobile puck-moving defender who can move the puck in transition and play as a power play quarterback, at the NHL could be a second pairing defenseman at both even strength and on the PP.
Bilecki is a good value version of his teammate, Cameron Reid, a first round pick of Nashville. Bilecki's average size likely keeps him out of R1, but if he's there at 60, he'd be an enticing choice for Toronto.
Luke Schairer was a reliable defender on a NTDP roster that didn't see offense
With Luke Schairer's game, one thing I wondered about his lack of offense is how much of it may be a result of the USA U18's general struggles offensively, and some of it may be the case.
Schairer is a defensively mature 6'3 right-shot defenseman committed to Boston University. Schairer is smart and a reliable shutdown player.
Schairer is both intelligent and composed, and it's easy to see how his game can translate to the NHL level as a bottom-four defenseman. Adding some more offense could make him a second pairing defenseman.
The Toronto Maple Leafs have a few sensible options at 60th overall of the draft, and at that spot could get a quality forward who becomes a reliable NHL piece.
The common thread is upside over certainty. Under Chayka's analytics-driven approach, the Leafs could bet on upside rather than size. This could find Toronto the next Koblar.
Also read on Hockey Patrol :
Tinus Luc Koblar nearly upset Team Canada and gave the Maple Leafs a glimpse of their future
Tinus Luc Koblar nearly upset Team Canada and gave the Maple Leafs a glimpse of their future
Previously on Hockey Patrol