Stenberg Surprised by Maple Leafs' Top Pick Over McKenna

The Swedish forward, now with the Sharks organization, did not anticipate becoming the opening selection of the draft class when the Maple Leafs made their choice. Stenberg's unexpected elevation to top prospect status represented a significant shake-up in pre-draft consensus rankings, where McKenna had been widely expected to hear his name called first.

Stenberg's draft positioning marked a notable deviation from conventional wisdom among scouts and analysts. The selection reflected Toronto's confidence in the young player's potential, even as many industry observers had projected a different outcome heading into the draft.

The 2026 NHL Draft selections have since proven consequential for multiple franchises. Stenberg's early performance with San Jose will likely fuel ongoing debate about draft strategy and prospect evaluation among National Hockey League teams competing for top talent.

Stenberg's candid reflection on the surprise selection offers insight into the unpredictability that characterizes major professional sports drafts, where organizational priorities and evaluations can diverge sharply from public expectations.

Photo: Ivar Stenberg at San Jose Sharks practice, 2 October 2026. Jessekornblum via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0).