The Toronto Maple Leafs have made an intriguing choice with their 169th overall pick in the sixth round of the 2026 NHL Draft, selecting Brody Pepoy, a promising 6’2″, 181-pound right-shot forward.
Getting to Know Brody Pepoy
Fresh off his rookie season with the Saginaw Spirit in the OHL, Pepoy has shown glimpses of potential. He notched 16 goals and racked up 29 points over 67 games. While he did accumulate 22 penalty minutes and ended the season with a minus-17 rating, there's more to his game than meets the stat sheet.
Breaking Down the Pick
Although Pepoy wasn't at the top of many draft boards, he's earned a reputation for his relentless energy and impressive work ethic. Think of him as the NHL's version of the energizer bunny.
He plays with a tenacity that suggests he could carve out a niche for himself as a gritty bottom-six forward. His ability to make an impact, even with limited ice time, is what makes him an interesting prospect for the Leafs.
Looking Ahead for Brody Pepoy
Next up for Pepoy is a stint at Lindenwood University in the NCAA, where he'll face a new level of competition. This upcoming season will be crucial in determining how he stacks up against tougher opponents.
With only one OHL season under his belt, it's still early to make definitive predictions about his NHL future. However, his time in the NCAA will provide valuable insights into his development and potential trajectory in professional hockey.
Keep an eye on this one; he might just surprise us.
In Other News...
Maple Leafs Just Made A Maccelli Decision Fans Will Debate All Day
The Maple Leafs made one of their more notable roster calls of the summer by moving on from Matias Maccelli instead of keeping the winger on a qualifying offer. Toronto had a chance to maintain control, but the decision leaves Maccelli free to explore the market as the team continues sorting out its forward mix under Craig Berube.
At the same time, the Leafs did keep other pieces in the organization, issuing qualifying offers to Nick Robertson, Emil Andrae and Jacob Quillan while also locking in defenseman Troy Stecher on a two-year extension. Robertson remains under team control, and Stechers deal adds some stability on the blue line, but the Maccelli move is the one that will draw the most second-guessing from fans as the offseason unfolds. [Read more 🡒]
Maple Leafs Crease Gamble Could Spark An Even Bigger Move
Goaltending has a way of changing the rest of a roster, and the Maple Leafs could be staring at exactly that kind of ripple effect this summer. With a veteran netminder expected to hit free agency on July 1 after not re-signing with the Panthers, Toronto is said to be among the teams keeping tabs, a sign the club may be looking to upgrade a position that can reshape everything from the nightly lineup to the way the front office uses its assets.
The bigger question is what happens next if Toronto does make that kind of move. A new starter would not just stabilize the crease, it could also alter the value of Dennis Hildeby, whose name would suddenly look far more movable in the right deal, and that is where the trade chatter starts to get interesting for a team still trying to balance immediate help with long-term flexibility. [Read more 🡒]
Maple Leafs Draft Just Exposed A Front Office Obsession
John Chaykas fingerprints are all over this draft class, and not just in the names Toronto added. The Maple Leafs have made chemistry an obvious priority under his watch, from the coaching hire of Jim Hiller to the front-office addition of Mats Sundin, and that approach has carried right into the way the roster is being built from the ground up. The through line is familiar faces, shared experience and a comfort level that starts long before anyone steps onto NHL ice.
The draft only sharpened that picture. Toronto kept leaning into players who already know how to play together, especially a cluster with Team Canada World Juniors ties, while also making room for a different kind of piece in Yaroslav Fedoseyev. The message is hard to miss: this is not just about stacking skill, it is about building a team that already has some connective tissue, even if the front office is still leaving one more move or two to be sorted out. [Read more 🡒]