Sports · Other Sports · 3 hrs ago
Sharks’ Ivar Stenberg says he did not feel wanted by Maple Leafs
Sharks winger Ivar Stenberg said Toronto did not seem interested in drafting him after meetings with the Maple Leafs.
Toronto chose forward Gavin McKenna with the first overall pick in the 2026 NHL draft.
The Sharks then selected Stenberg with the second pick, which they had won in the draft lottery.
Stenberg said he accepts Toronto’s choice and is happy to be with San Jose.
He has six points in seven NHL games, tied for second among rookies.
Stenberg and McKenna are set to face each other as NHL players for the first time when San Jose visits Toronto on Monday.
San Jose Sharks winger Ivar Stenberg said he did not feel the Toronto Maple Leafs were interested in selecting him first overall in the NHL draft.
Toronto selected Penn State forward Gavin McKenna with the first pick, and San Jose chose Stenberg second.
Stenberg said he accepted that Toronto wanted another player and was happy to join the Sharks.
Stenberg and McKenna were due to face each other as NHL players for the first time when San Jose played Toronto on Monday.
Stenberg had six points in seven games and was tied for second in NHL rookie scoring.
- Who
- Ivar Stenberg, a winger for the San Jose Sharks, discussed his NHL draft meetings with the Toronto Maple Leafs.
- What
- He said he did not feel Toronto was interested in selecting him first overall. The Leafs selected Gavin McKenna, and the Sharks took Stenberg second.
- When
- The draft took place in June. Stenberg spoke to Bay Area News Group earlier in the week before the October 18 report.
- Where
- The draft was the setting for the teams’ selections; the article does not state its location.
- Why
- Stenberg said his meetings with Toronto were not good and that he sensed the team wanted another player.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Stenberg and McKenna met in a World Junior Championship pre-tournament game.
Toronto selected McKenna first overall in the NHL draft, and San Jose selected Stenberg second.
Stenberg spoke to Bay Area News Group about his meetings with Toronto.
Stenberg and McKenna were scheduled to face each other as NHL players for the first time when the Sharks played the Leafs.
- Toronto’s first pick
- Gavin McKenna, No. 1 overall
- San Jose’s first pick
- Ivar Stenberg, No. 2 overall
- Stenberg’s age
- 19
- Stenberg’s rookie points
- 6 in 7 games
- First NHL meeting
- Sharks at Leafs, Monday
3 sources
What people are saying
I didn’t have good meetings with Toronto and didn’t feel like it was the team for me.
They wanted another guy, and I accept that. But I’m super happy I’m with the Sharks.
You kind of feel when a team wants you or not, or how interested they are.
You get a feeling, and I think that feeling was pretty (accurate).