Let’s be honest with ourselves Leaf fans—this season is over. With the Toronto Maple Leafs now sitting 10 points out of a playoff spot, the “miracle run” isn’t coming. The roster is battered, the chemistry is off, and they are staring down the barrel of a lost year. But there is a silver lining that could change the franchise for the next decade, and it goes by two names: Ivar Stenberg and Gavin McKenna.
We aren’t talking about average prospects here. We are talking about franchise-altering talent. The decision to “tank” is never easy for a market like Toronto, but when you look at what Stenberg is doing in the SHL and McKenna’s dominance, the choice becomes clear. The pain of losing now is the only path to winning later.
The Prize: Stenberg vs. McKenna
If the Leafs can bottom out effectively, they put themselves in the running for two distinct flavors of superstardom.
First, there is Gavin McKenna. If you have been watching him tear it up at Penn State this year, you know the hype is real. He is an offensive dynamo, a pure playmaker who processes the game faster than anyone else on the ice. He is the kind of talent that immediately fixes a power play and gives you a successor to the current core.
Then there is the riser, Ivar Stenberg. He has arguably overtaken McKenna on some scout lists. Playing against men in Frolunda (SHL), Stenberg looks like a complete 200-foot beast. He drives play, he’s physical, and he has the “clutch” gene that Toronto desperately needs. While McKenna is the artist, Stenberg is the engine. Either one would be an instant savior for a Leafs team lacking identity this season.
The High Cost of Losing: Understanding the Boston & Philly Draft Pick Complication
Here is where it gets terrifying—and why Treliving needs nerves of steel.
The Leafs traded their 2026 1st Round Pick to Boston in the Brandon Carlo deal, but it is Top-5 Protected. This is the Leafs lifeline.
- If the Maple Leafs tank and finish Bottom 5: They keep the pick. Draft Stenberg or McKenna.
- The Penalty: Because wthey kept the 2026 pick, Boston is owed a future 1st. Usually, it would slide to 2027. However, the Leafs already traded the 2027 1st to Philadelphia for Scott Laughton.
- The Result: Since 2027 is gone, the obligation to Boston slides all the way to 2028.
Essentially, by tanking now, the Leafs surrender their first-round future in 2027 and 2028. It is a massive three-year mortgage for one asset. But ask yourself: Is a Top-3 franchise player in 2026 worth more than two mid-round picks in 27 and 28? The answer is yes.
How to Watch the Leafs Game & Join Our Fantasy Hockey Pool
While we watch the standings drop, there is still plenty of action to enjoy. You can catch the Leafs game on TV today (check local listings below) to see if the tank rolls on. While you’re at it, why not make the games interesting? Join our Online Hockey Pool for cash prizes right here on nhltraderumor.com. It’s the best way to leverage your expertise while the Leafs sort out their future.
Don’t forget to bookmark us for the latest news on the tank, the trades, and the rumors.
