The Toronto Maple Leafs have taken Måns Gudmundsson with the 76th overall pick in the third round of the 2026 Entry Draft. This pick was just received for Brandon Carlo.

Vitals

  • Position: Right-shot defenseman
  • League(s): U20 Nationell
  • Height: 6'2"
  • Weight: 186 lbs
  • Birthdate: Jun 9, 2008

Career

Scouting Report

2026 NHL Draft Profile: Måns Gudmundsson
Unlike what the refs may call for penalties, you can never have Too Much Måns.
PPP LeafsBrian S
The reasons why I still buy into Gudmundsson's potential lies in the areas of improvement he had over this season, and by how much he improved overall – especially on defense, which I care more about.
While Gudmundsson started the year more passive in everything he did (offense and defense), he defensively became much more aggressive in throwing hits, shoving forwards away from the crease and just being a mean prick to his opponents. At the World U18s he threw some big hits that broadcasts would say shifted momentum, but I would say were just pretty sick.
Gudmundsson may be a bit thin and lanky, but he has the frame and the willingness to play a hard defensive style that NHL teams like. With time in the gym and with nutrition and strength coaches, he's more likely to fill out and add the extra strength and weight he'd need for the professional level. This is something I want to call out because you'd think it wouldn't be that hard for a player to "learn" how to just play with more of a physical edge and meanness, but from what I've seen it might be one of the more rare things that a player can dramatically change about themselves.
Gudmundsson also got a lot better defending the rush. His backwards mobility and gap control improved pretty significantly from what I could tell, and there's a reason why he went from not being part of Sweden's roster for the Hlinka last summer to being on their top pair at the World U18s this spring. His stick work, footwork, mobility and aggression made me bump him up from profiling him for the third or even fourth round to the second.
The final and arguably the most important improvement Gudmundsson made this year was his breakouts and puck movement. His accuracy and reliability got so much better by the end of the season. He looked much more calm, less prone to panic and turnovers, and had much greater confidence to hold the puck a bit longer or make a more complicated play to elude forecheckers so he has more time and space to make that first pass out of the zone.
The level of pure skill may be a question mark, but he has the tools and the foundation after all these improvements to make me think very highly of him for any other defenseman in the range of the late second round – in fact, I wouldn't be surprised if his play at the World U18s leads him to being taken before Toronto would even have the chance to pick him. If he doesn't, he'd be one of the few names I'm mentally juggling at the top of my "do want" list for this range.

Hockey Prospect says:

Gudmundsson is a good-sized right-handed defenseman who moves and distributes the puck well. He's not a power play option at the next level — his shot from the point is average — but he can do positive things with the puck on his stick in transition and in the offensive zone.
His path to the NHL will be as a stay-at-home defenseman who can move pucks while also bringing a physical element to the ice. We saw significant physical growth this season, with him adding close to 15 lbs since last summer. He was tall and lanky but now looks more powerful and assertive. His skating has improved as well — there's more power in his stride, and that will continue to develop as he's far from physical maturity. He still needs to work on his footwork; he can get caught flat-footed in the neutral zone, which has been a recurring theme all year. He's not an explosive athlete, so recovering when caught out of position doesn't come easily. His decision-making is generally fine, but quicker decisions would elevate his game — another area that needs refinement.

McKeen's says:

Gudmundsson wasn’t a player who stood out to me entering the season, but that changed as the year progressed. He first caught my attention prior to the Five Nations tournament in Ulricehamn, where his steady play and reliable all-around game stood out. The more I watched him throughout the season, the more I appreciated the consistency he brought to the ice. While he may not possess high-end offensive tools, the overall package he brings as a defenceman has made him one of the more interesting players in this draft class and a player who could prove to be a steal for the team that selects him. Consistency is one of the traits that stands out most in Gudmundsson’s game. He’s a solid skater who stays connected to play and does a good job maintaining positioning in all three zones. With the puck, he keeps things simple and efficient, moving it quickly and making smart decisions rather than forcing difficult plays. He supports the attack through awareness and positioning, but he’s at his best when keeping plays moving rather than trying to drive offence himself. When defending, Gudmundsson keeps things simple and rarely puts himself in difficult situations. He reads developing plays well, maintains solid gap control, and uses his stick effectively to disrupt passing lanes and separate opponents from the puck. His size allows him to handle physical play in his own zone, and he consistently competes for positioning around the net and along the boards. While he may not be an overly aggressive defender, he understands how to play within structure and rarely puts himself out of position.
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