Maple Leafs Recoup Valuable 2026 Draft Pick, For Now

Toronto's late-season slide has temporarily returned their top-5 protected first-round pick to their possession.

Apr. 13, 2026 at 2:07am

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting a fragmented hockey game, with sharp, overlapping planes of blue, white, and red, conceptually representing the complex situation surrounding the Maple Leafs' 2026 draft pick.The Maple Leafs' late-season slide has put their valuable 2026 draft pick in jeopardy, creating an intricate web of lottery odds and pick protections.Philadelphia Today

The Toronto Maple Leafs have recovered their 2026 first-round draft pick, which was previously traded to the Boston Bruins, due to the team's late-season slide that has them sitting in the fifth-worst spot in the NHL standings. However, there is still a chance the Leafs could lose the pick if they drop two spots in the draft lottery.

Why it matters

The 2026 NHL Draft is projected to be a deep one, so retaining their first-round pick is crucial for the Maple Leafs as they look to rebuild through the draft. The situation also creates an interesting tussle between the Leafs, Bruins, and Philadelphia Flyers over the team's future first-round picks.

The details

The Maple Leafs' 2026 first-round pick was originally traded to the Bruins last season in the Brandon Carlo trade, but it was top-5 protected. With the Leafs now sitting in the fifth-worst spot in the NHL, they have temporarily reclaimed the pick. However, the NHL Draft Lottery rules state that a team can only drop back two spots, meaning if the Leafs finish fifth but then drop to seventh in the lottery, the pick would still go to the Bruins.

  • The Maple Leafs lost 6-2 to the Florida Panthers on Saturday, April 12, 2026, dropping them to the fifth-worst spot in the NHL.
  • The Maple Leafs have two games remaining on their 2025-26 schedule.

The players

Toronto Maple Leafs

An NHL team based in Toronto, Ontario, that has struggled to make the playoffs in recent seasons.

Boston Bruins

An NHL team based in Boston, Massachusetts, that acquired the Maple Leafs' 2026 first-round pick in a trade last season.

Philadelphia Flyers

An NHL team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, that acquired the Maple Leafs' 2027 first-round pick in a trade last season.

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What’s next

The Maple Leafs will wait to see where they land in the 2026 NHL Draft Lottery, which will determine if they keep their first-round pick or if it goes to the Boston Bruins.

The takeaway

The Maple Leafs' late-season struggles have unexpectedly returned their 2026 first-round pick to their possession, but the team still faces the risk of losing the pick if they drop too far in the draft lottery. This situation highlights the importance of retaining high draft picks, especially in a deep draft year, as the Leafs look to rebuild through the draft.