Toronto Maple Leafs: Breaking News, Rumors & Highlights

Maple Leafs fans react to Gavin McKenna being drafted first overall

The Toronto Maple Leafs made their long-awaited decision to select Gavin McKenna with the first overall pick of the 2026 NHL Draft on Friday. While there

Features

The Morning Bark

The Quiz of the Day

2026 NHL Draft: Who's Still Available on Day Two?

There were some surprise picks in the first round, which means some guys I wouldn't have expected to be available in the second round suddenly are. The more players get pushed down, the clearer it is who will be available when Toronto's next pick comes up.

Carolina Hurricanes News / Yardbarker Quizzes

The 'Conn Smythe Trophy winners' quiz

The NHL began awarding the Conn Smythe Trophy to the most valuable player of the postseason beginning in the 1965 season. How many of the past winners can you name in six minutes?

The 'NHL Hart Trophy winners' quiz

The '5+ goal Stanley Cup Finals' quiz

The 'Playoff power play goal leaders by team' quiz

Toronto Maple Leafs News / TheLeafsnation / June 27

Maple Leafs’ Gavin McKenna calls Toronto ‘greatest market out there’ following draft selection

Gavin McKenna is a Toronto Maple Leaf. On Friday night, the Maple Leafs selected McKenna with the first overall selection in the 2026 NHL Entry Draft, bringing the 18-year-old officially into the organization.

NHL News / Yardbarker

The 25 greatest rookie seasons in NHL history

There have been successful rookie seasons in NHL history, and there have been superior efforts worth celebrating time and time again. Here's our list of the 25 notable seasons from those with official rookie status, as deemed by the NHL, in reverse chronological order.

Gavin Mckenna News / Professor Press Box / June 27

3 Questions About McKenna Going Into the 2026–27 Season

Gavin McKenna was selected first overall by the Toronto Maple Leafs in the 2026 NHL Entry Draft on Friday, and the reaction was pretty predictable — excitement, hype, and a lot of talk about what he could become.

Toronto Maple Leafs News / Yardbarker / June 26

Maple Leafs made the right choice in taking Gavin McKenna No. 1

Maple Leafs made the right choice by taking Gavin McKenna No. 1 overall in NHL Draft

After winning the 2026 NHL Draft lottery and getting the No. 1 overall pick, the Toronto Maple Leafs were faced with a big decision. Do they do the expected thing and take Penn State's Gavin McKenna with the top pick?

Morgan Rielly's agent submits trade list for Maple Leafs defenseman

From Cayman Islands prodigy to twin brothers, these are potential first-round prospects who won't go in top five of 2026 NHL Draft

Report: Maple Leafs part ways with assistant coach Mike Van Ryn

The 'Highest paid NHL players in 2024-25' quiz

Gavin Mckenna News / Field Level Media / June 26

Maple Leafs pick F Gavin McKenna No. 1 in NHL draft

The Toronto Maple Leafs selected forward Gavin McKenna with the No. 1 overall pick of the NHL draft on Friday in Buffalo, N.Y. The 18-year-old McKenna was widely expected to be the top pick after a standout freshman season at Penn State, where he tallied 51 points (15 goals, 36 assists) in 35 games.

Click here to get Yardbarker's Quiz of the Day emailed to you!

The 'Triple-Double leaders by team' quiz

The '2nd-overall NBA Draft picks' quiz

The 'Multi-time NBA MVPs' quiz

The 'No.1 NBA Draft picks' quiz

Gavin Mckenna News / TheLeafsnation / June 26

Instant Reaction: Maple Leafs add franchise player in Gavin McKenna, extend win-now mandate

Pinch yourself, Leafs Nation! It may be too good to be true, but it is indeed official: Gavin McKenna is now a member of the Toronto Maple Leafs, after being selected with the first overall pick in the 2026 NHL Draft.

Gavin Mckenna News / Daily Faceoff / June 26

Maple Leafs select Gavin McKenna No. 1 overall in 2026 NHL Draft

As if there was any doubt? On Friday night, the Toronto Maple Leafs selected forward Gavin McKenna, 18, with the first overall pick of the 2026 NHL Draft at KeyBank Center in Buffalo.

Toronto Maple Leafs News / EasySportz / June 26

Toronto Just Went Chalk in the NHL Draft

The first domino of the 2026 NHL Draft has fallen. The Toronto Maple Leafs selected Gavin McKenna with the No. 1 overall pick Friday night in Buffalo, ushering in a new era for one of hockey’s most storied franchises.

Samuel Ersson News / NHL Trade Talk / June 26

Maple Leafs Trade Sam Ersson Rights to Ottawa for Fifth-Round Pick

The Toronto Maple Leafs have traded the rights to RFA goaltender Samuel Ersson to the Ottawa Senators in exchange for a 2027 fifth-round selection. The move is largely a housekeeping transaction.

Toronto Maple Leafs News / Daily Faceoff / June 26

What else will Leafs do to make a splash?

All eyes are on the Toronto Maple Leafs on Friday night, as they hold the No. 1 pick in the 2026 NHL Draft. However, what other order of business might they take care of?

Morgan Rielly News / NHL Trade Talk / June 26

Why the Radical Turn in the Rielly Conversation?

The Toronto Maple Leafs really looked like they were serious about moving Morgan Rielly, then suddenly started talking like “we love having him here.” What’s the change?

Toronto Maple Leafs News / The Hockey Writers / June 26

Maple Leafs News & Rumours: Chayka, Hiller, Stolarz, Rielly & Knies Questions

There are NHL offseasons when everything feels mapped out by this point in June. The big decisions are made, the coaching staff is aligned, and the roster picture is mostly clear heading into the summer.

Toronto Maple Leafs News / NHL Trade Talk / June 26

Maple Leafs Not Trading Knies and Rielly, But Defenseman Likely to Be Moved

The Toronto Maple Leafs have elected not to trade Morgan Rielly and Matthews Knies, according to recent reports. However, it appears the organization is actively trying to move another defenseman.

Darren Raddysh News / 6IX ON ICE / June 26

Who should Darren Raddysh play alongside on the Toronto Maple Leafs?

News broke a few days ago that the Toronto Maple Leafs had acquired defenceman Darren Raddysh from the Tampa Bay Lightning in exchange for a fifth-round pick.

Michael Pezzetta News / TheLeafsnation / June 26

Michael Pezzetta eyeing spot on Maple Leafs next season after Calder Cup championship run

The Toronto Marlies’ Calder Cup championship victory brought a whole new life and energy into the city, all while providing a glimpse of what it would

Matthew Knies News / Daily Faceoff / June 25

Leafs not actively shopping Matthew Knies, but will listen to offers

In his first summer on the job, new Toronto Maple Leafs general manager John Chayka has plenty of irons in the fire. Speaking with reporters on Thursday

Toronto Maple Leafs News / The Hockey Writers / June 25

Maple Leafs News & Rumours: Woll, Hildeby, Stolarz, Akhtyamov & Good Karma

The Toronto Maple Leafs are in the middle of the offseason, but there are still interesting stories around the organization. Some involve players who could be part of the club’s future, while others focus on those moving on after leaving their mark in Toronto.