- Following a summer of prioritizing provincial connections, the Maple Leafs are looking to continue the trend of acquiring Ontario-born talent in the upcoming 2026 NHL Draft.
- Goaltender Brady Knowling, a Toronto native currently with the USNTDP, is highlighted as a high-upside target for the second round due to his elite 6-foot-5 frame and athleticism.
- Highly skilled forward Adam Valentini is identified as a potential steal, with analysts suggesting the Leafs should bet on his high-end offensive motor despite concerns regarding his size.
- The list includes power forward Ryan Roobroeck, whose elite goal-scoring tools make him an intriguing project if the Leafs can help him improve his consistency and work ethic.
- Rounding out the targets are Alessandro Di Iorio and Pierce Mbuyi, two OHL standouts who offer the Leafs depth, hockey intelligence, and proven production at the junior level.
Read the full story here: https://theleafsnation.com/news/top-5-ontario-born-toronto-maple-leafs-target-2026-nhl-draft
