Maple Leafs move into position to deny Bruins their first round pick.

The Toronto Maple Leafs have just moved into an extremely interesting position, one that has suddenly made the next two games of their season pivotal games as far as their future is concerned.

The season has been over for some time now as far as the Maple Leafs are concerned with the team officially eliminated from any hope of contention in the 2026 Stanley Cup playoffs, but there is still a ton on the line for the Maple Leafs as far as their future beyond this season is concerned.

With a loss to the Florida Panthers on Saturday night, combined with a win on the part of both the aforementioned Panthers as well as the Seattle Kraken, the Maple Leafs now officially have the 5th worst record in the NHL. That is significant because it would mean that, prior to the draft lottery, the Maple Leafs now own the 5th overall pick in the 2026 NHL Entry Draft.

The Maple Leafs have of course already traded their 2026 first round pick to the Boston Bruins alongside forward Fraser Minten and a fourth round pick in exchange for defenseman Brandon Carlo. There was however a condition attached to that pick that made it top 5 protected, meaning that the Maple Leafs would get to retain their pick this season if they maintain their current draft position.

The draft lottery could throw everything into chaos for the Maple Leafs which means that falling even further down the NHL standings prior to the end of the regular season is in their best interest. The Maple Leafs currently have a 3 point lead over the New York Rangers but with 2 games remaining for both teams the Rangers could feasibly catch them if the Leafs continue to lose down the stretch. The Calgary Flames are a bit further behind with 5 points to make up on the Leafs, but the Flames have 3 games remaining on the schedule which also puts them in striking distance.

The Maple Leafs only have 2 games remaining, a clash against the Dallas Stars on Monday and their final game of the season against the Ottawa Senators on Wednesday. There may have never been 2 more must-lose games in Maple Leafs franchise history.