5 Choices for Maple Leafs’ 2nd-Round Pick in 2026 NHL Draft – Hockey Writers – Toronto Maple Leafs

Elofsson is a highly successful passer and distributor in transition and pursuit, handling the puck with confidence and purpose. He has good ability and edge work to move quickly and changes his speed very well. He is patient with the puck, can find shooting lanes well and shows great control and hands to get around players. His defensive game is a work in progress and lacks power. While some teams still shy away from defensemen who play less puck-moving, the Maple Leafs shouldn’t stretch if they are there.

Jonas Lagerberg Hoen, RW, Leksands IF U20 (Nationell)

If it weren’t for a leg injury that has kept him out for most of the season, the talk of Jonas Lagerberg Hoen would have been huge. He already has 16 points in nine games to start the season and had an incredible 27 goals (just three assists) last season, tying Viggo Bjorck for the same total and one more than Ivar Stenberg, both likely top-five picks.

Lagerberg Hoen is a goal scorer and shot generator with great size and power. He can easily build up speed and burst down the wing to attack defenders with headers. He is adept at identifying puck handling lanes and pushing his way to the middle of the ice for quality scoring opportunities. He has a great set of hands and when he has time and space to shoot, he will take advantage as he has great power and accuracy. He didn’t speak enough due to lack of playing time and could have played a big role for Sweden in the World U18 Championship if he had been fit.

Alessandro Di Iroio, C, Sarnia Sting (OHL)

I’m a big fan of Alessandro Di Iorio’s game. He battled through injuries to start the season and finished with 31 points in 45 games. Although the offensive production has not been as consistent as he would like it to be, he has been a reliable center for the Sarnia Sting. His game reminds me of Anthony Cirelli, where he may not be a big point producer at the next level, but he will provide a complete, two-way game with a better flash of skill.

Di Iorio is very quick in transition, defining the pace of play, pushing defenders and using his quick hands and soft decks to get around them with ease. He can really be deceptive as a playmaker, drawing players and opening up spaces to put the puck in a good position for his teammates. He can defend and protect the puck well and attack the middle with purpose. He is responsible in the backcheck and within his area, he shows great awareness and anticipatory skills. If the offense picks up, he could be a nice addition.

Jakub Vanecek, LD, Tri-City Americans (WHL)

Even though he is not a perfect man, Jakub Vanecek is an excellent defender and a good defender at the back. As a rookie skater, he finished with a respectable 35 points in 59 games and his 14 goals saw him finish 16th.^th among defensemen in the Western Hockey League. He represented the Czech Republic at the World U18 Championship and was a constant shooting threat at the back.

Vanecek has a very loud and efficient two-way game. He is a smooth skater when leading a quick attack and does a great job of finding shooting lanes for quality shots on goal. He can effectively take time and space away from attackers and does a good job getting into lanes to break up plays. He doesn’t panic under pressure at both ends of the ice, showing great composure with the puck. He can get pucks to the net and the Maple Leafs could use more of that.

Thomas Vandenberg, C, Ottawa 67’s (OHL)

Like how the Maple Leafs could go with the Di Iorio pick, Vanderberg is a middle man but provides a scoring feature. He had 25 goals as a rookie in the OHL, good for third overall and finished fifth overall with 50 points. Although that may seem like an average, he did it as a 17-year-old. As one of the youngest players in the draft squad, he has room to grow and develop which should serve him well for any team that selects him.

If you watch him throughout the season, Vandenberg’s game has been built around being a strong, two-way center with great offensive potential. He moves extremely well with his speed and edges to attack in the middle, has a powerful shot and the ability to dribble through tight spaces. Although he has offensive skills, it is his vision and play off the puck that stands out. He has great experience and competes to force mistakes and capitalize on them. He is very detail-oriented, competitive and willing to attack players directly and never backs down in the fight for victory.