The Maple Leafs defied the odds to win the lottery Tuesday night, giving them the right to pick first overall in June's draft.
Gavin McKenna is widely regarded as the best prospect in the class, but is he a shoo-in to go No. 1?
The Penn State product is a -500 favorite on theScore Bet to be selected with the first pick, an implied probability of 83.3%. His chances of not being drafted first are slightly worse than the Canucks' chances of landing the top pick (sorry, Vancouver fans).
First overall odds
| Player | Odds |
|---|---|
| Gavin McKenna | -500 |
| The Field | +300 |
👉 Bet on McKenna being picked first overall with theScore Bet here
McKenna dominated the WHL with the Medicine Hat Tigers. He recorded 244 points with 79 goals in 133 regular-season games, all before turning 17. The Whitehorse native added 38 playoff points in 16 games during the Tigers' 2025 WHL championship run.
However, McKenna jumped to the NCAA for his draft year, and his offensive production dropped slightly. He recorded 51 points in 35 games for Penn State against older, more physical competition, and he didn't dominate at the World Junior Championship the way many expected.
For reference, Macklin Celebrini notched 32 goals and 32 assists for Boston University before the Sharks drafted him first overall in 2024.
While McKenna tops NHL Central Scouting's rankings of North American skaters, some analysts consider Sweden's Ivar Stenberg the best draft-eligible player. Perhaps newly hired Leafs adviser Mats Sundin will think fondly of the fellow Swedish forward.
There's a handful of defensemen worthy of being selected early as well. Keaton Verhoeff, Carson Carels, and Chase Reid are all top-tier blue-liners and rank Nos. 2-4 behind McKenna for North American skaters.
Toronto has struggled to find a franchise cornerstone on the back end. Morgan Rielly flirted with that status in his best years but never quite got there.
US: Must be 21+. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER; Hope is here. Call (800)-327-5050 or visit gamblinghelplinema.org for 24/7 support (MA); Call 877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY).
ON: Please play responsibly. 19+. ON only. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, call ConnexOntario 24/7 at 1-866-531-2600. Text us at 247247 or chat with us at www.connexontario.ca.
