2026 TLN Maple Leafs Prospect Rankings: #12 Måns Gudmundsson

While it often takes a while for a draft class to be considered a win, the Toronto Maple Leafs left the 2026 National Hockey League Draft with solid grades. 

Winning the draft lottery and earning the right to select Gavin McKenna first overall is a big factor in the praise, but many of the picks that followed were held in high regard. 

In the third round, 76th overall, the Maple Leafs selected defenceman Måns Gudmundsson. Gudmundsson spent his draft year playing in his native country of Sweden with Färjestads BK Jr. of the Swedish Junior League. A new addition to The Leafs Nation Prospect Rankings, Gudmundsson finds himself slotted in at No. 12. 

The 18-year-old, 6-foot-2 defenceman appeared in 35 games in the U20 league and recorded one goal and 25 assists, good for the team lead in points among all defencemen. In seven playoff games, Gudmundsson added one goal and five assists, and to cap off what was a successful season, he received the call to play one game with Färjestads BK in the Swedish Hockey League. 

Following his selection, Daily Faceoff and The Leafs Nation prospect expert Steven Ellis had this to say about Gudmundsson: 

Gudmundsson’s 6-foot-3 frame is intriguing as a starting point. So what happens when he shows off his puck skills, too? Gudmundsson had 25 points in 35 games at the Swedish U-20 level and had a solid showing en route to a gold at the U-18 World Championship. He’s a good puck mover who looked great on the power play, especially during the Swedish U-20 playoffs. Gudmundsson’s shot lacks power, and he’s not actually that physical for his frame, which is why he’s further down here. But some scouts see a guy who has the tools to become a bottom-pairing option once he bulks up.

An puck-moving defenceman who comes with offensive upside, Gudmundsson has the early tools that make him appear to be capable of working on a power play. Speaking to TSN’s Mark Masters after the draft, Gudmundsson stated he has tried to model his game after another right-shot defenceman. 

“I like Moritz Seider on Detroit, how he plays with the puck, and his defence. Hard player, and tough to play against,” Gudmundsson said. “I’d say I’m a two-way defender. I like to have the puck. I play hard and physical and shut down players.”

Gudmundsson, selected with one of the picks that the Maple Leafs received as part of the Brandon Carlo trade, is likely to return to Sweden next year and has the chance to shine on the world stage if he is selected to the 2027 Swedish World Junior team.