.jpg)
1 hour ago
5
There haven't been many bright days for the Maple Leafs in recent history. The franchise plummeted down the NHL standings in 2025–26, recording a paltry 77 points -- its lowest total in an 82-game season since 2015–16.
Toronto didn't finish with the worst record in the NHL. In fact, the Maple Leafs tallied more points than four other teams. If anything, they were more likely to surrender their first-round pick than keep it — Toronto's selection would have gone to the Bruins if it landed outside the top five, as part of the deal to acquire Brandon Carlo last year.
The stakes were high for a Maple Leafs side that will come into the 2026 season with a new-look front office led by 36-year-old John Chayka. The hockey gods were looking out for the snakebitten franchise during Tuesday's draft lottery, blessing Chayka and Co. with the No. 1 pick in the 2026 Draft. Announcement of the curious result was met with joy from Toronto's camp. The rest of the NHL was far more skeptical, especially given the timing of the news. The Maple Leafs were in the news cycle one day earlier, with The Athletic's Chris Johnston reporting that Matthews "still isn't sure if he'll be back in Toronto in the fall."
Coincidence? Some think not, even if there is no actual proof of shenanigans.With that, here's what you need to know about the 2026 NHL Draft lottery results, a process marked by seemingly baseless allegations that the NHL rigged the pick to land in Toronto's hands.
NHL PLAYOFFS HQ: Live NHL scores | NHL playoff schedule | NHL playoff bracket
Is the NHL Draft lottery rigged?
The Maple Leafs landed their second first-overall pick in 11 seasons on Tuesday. They're expected to select Gavin McKenna with the pick, looking to add firepower to a forward line that fell well short of expectations this season.
The NHL's "decision" to award Toronto the first-overall pick was met with vociferous protests from spectators of a different disposition than that of the Maple Leafs. 93.7 The Fan's Dom DiTommaso summed up his concerns with the legitimacy of the lottery on X.
So Auston Matthews indicates yesterday that he might want to leave Toronto, and then the Leafs happen to win the Draft Lottery tonight and secure a new superstar (as either a reason for Matthews to stay or protection if he doesn't)? That's frustrating at best and fishy at worst.
— Dom DiTommaso (@DomDiTommaso) May 5, 2026He wasn't alone in his assessment.
Btw the NHL, NBA, or any sports with a draft lottery that involved “ball picking” is inherently rigged.
The league’s can control the outcome to force the best player to the biggest market (Toronto)
Or force the best player to a team it had a deal with (Cooper Flagg to the…
“F*ck the Leafs. It’s f*cking rigged.”@BizNasty2point0 is not happy about the Leafs getting the first overall pick. @reeses pic.twitter.com/JSAqIFx9Cc
— Spittin' Chiclets (@spittinchiclets) May 5, 2026Holy rigged https://t.co/7JXBXf8gvI
— 𝐒𝐄𝐂𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍 𝟑𝟒𝟒 𝐋𝐈𝐎𝐍𝐒 (@Section344Lions) May 5, 2026I’m not claiming rigged… but… https://t.co/fY8mzvhFEV
— Riley Gates (@Riley_Gates) May 5, 2026bettman heard matthews (allegedly) say he doesn’t know if he’ll remain in toronto & said NOT SO FAST!!!
— tom fitzgerald hate account (@spelunky_) May 5, 2026Look I don’t like making some conspiracy theory about the draft lottery but I seriously think is was rigged! Not kidding https://t.co/mp4AhcZP01
— P-Braedon 🏔️ (@Flames4theW) May 6, 2026There's certainly a case to be made that Toronto didn't deserve the opportunity to take McKenna in this year's draft. The optics of the Maple Leafs landing the No. 1 pick after engineering one of the worst seasons in recent franchise history was curious, even by the NHL's standards.
MORE: NHL Draft Lottery final results
Recent lottery results would appear to indicate that rigging is not a viable concern in NHL circles. The Sharks took home the top pick in 2024, while the Islanders picked up the No. 1 selection in 2025. Neither of those franchises can be considered hockey heavyweights, yet they each took home the most prized of rewards despite varying projected draft positions.
Still, give sports fans an inch or daylight and they'll predict someone was on the take. Like the Mavericks in last year's NBA Draft Lottery, it's not inconceivable that the NHL would want one of its marquee franchises to remain competitive in the years to come.
Mavericks trade Luka for spare parts - win the lottery
Leafs go full Leafs this season and risk trending towards being the worst team in the league - win the draft lottery
I’m done believing in coincidences
RIGGED
RIGGED
RIGGED
RIGGED https://t.co/r9Cb9vjezB
The Draft Lottery is, and always has been RIGGED.
Bettman learned how to do this working with David Stern in the NBA. pic.twitter.com/yZySEMomvi
Going to be tough to be the “rigged” allegations after this. pic.twitter.com/wHNcGanQdr
— Reason (@the_real_reason) May 6, 2026We'll likely never know whether the NHL engaged in tomfoolery to give the Leafs a chance to pick up McKenna. Don't expect the conspiracy theories to slow down, however.
NHL Draft lottery results 2026
| Pick | Team |
| No. 1 | Toronto Maple Leafs |
| No. 2 | San Jose Sharks |
| No. 3 | Vancouver Canucks |
| No. 4 | Chicago Blackhawks |
| No. 5 | New York Rangers |
| No. 6 | Calgary Flames |
| No. 7 | Seattle Kraken |
| No. 8 | Winnipeg Jets |
| No. 9 | Florida Panthers |
| No. 10 | Nashville Predators |
| No. 11 | St. Louis Blues |
| No. 12 | New Jersey Devils |
| No. 13 | New York Islanders |
| No. 14 | Columbus Blue Jackets |
| No. 15 | St. Louis Blues (via DET) |
| No. 16 | Washington Capitals |
English (US)