The Boston Bruins may have the Toronto Maple Leafs to thank for yet another great draft pick. That’s not hyperbole. That’s quickly becoming a fact.
The Maple Leafs lost 5-1 to the Dallas Stars on Sunday night. The loss was the Leafs’ third in a row, sinking them further in the Eastern Conference. Toronto heads into the new week in last place in the Atlantic Division and taking on water fast.
And guess what, that’s something the Boston Bruins could greatly benefit from. Yes, the Bruins benefit from having a significant rival struggle in the standings. But there’s another powerful reason why Boston needs to send Leafs’ GM Brad Treliving a gift basket this Christmas.
The Bruins own the Maple Leafs’ first-round pick in the 2026 NHL Draft. And, according to Tankathon, that pick projects as the 10th overall selection. The pick carries a 3.5% to land the first-overall slot. The pick came into Boston’s possession as a result of the Brandon Carlo trade last season.
Before anyone says the Bruins, at number 10, can’t land the top pick, bear in mind the New York Islanders pulled that feat off this past season.
Could the 10th overall pick become the top selection? It’s tough to bet on it happening two years in a row. But then again, anything is possible.
But here’s where things could get even more interesting for the Bruins. Assuming the Leafs continue to sink in the standings, that pick could turn out to be even higher. Now, wouldn’t that be something?
2026 NHL Draft Considered among Deepest Drafts in Years
The 2026 NHL Draft has gotten a reputation for being one of the deepest in years. That’s something the Bruins are certainly looking forward to. As it stands, Boston would land the 10th and 13th picks in next June’s draft.
That situation opens up numerous possibilities. The first is for the Bruins to keep their picks and take the best players available at those slots. The consensus is that the first 10 to 15 picks could yield high-end players, with defenseman Keaton Verhoff and forward Gavin McKenna leading the way.
Another intriguing possibility could be moving both picks to trade up. A team like the Vancouver Canucks, which currently holds the fourth-overall pick, may consider such a deal. After all, they’re in a rebuild and could use as many picks as possible.
Bruins Could Find a Stud Forward at #10
Assuming the Bruins get and keep the 10th selection, they could land a stud forward. Sportsnet’s latest ranking of the top picks in the 2026 NHL Draft shows Adam Novotny of the Peterborough Petes in the 10th spot. Novotny is a 6’1”, 204-pound left winger who projects as a top-six forward. Sportsnet describes Novotny as:
“He’s a powerful winger who possesses a fantastic release. He shoots the puck accurately and with authority.”
Boy, that sounds a lot like David Pastrnak…
Of course, there are various options for the Bruins in that slot. It would all depend on who’s off the board and what the club wants to target. But whoever they take, the Boston could land its next star thanks to the Toronto Maple Leafs.
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