The Toronto Maple Leafs have picked Zac Olsen with the 73rd overall pick of the 2026 NHL Draft. Olsen is a hard-working forward who’s played the last two seasons on the Saskatoon Blades of the WHL.
Olsen player profile
Olsen is definitely a support piece. He’s a player with a huge motor who forechecks and gives maximum effort every shift. His skill is not off the charts, but he does have a knack for putting the puck in the net from the right spots.
He won’t be a top-line forward, and doesn’t have a very high ceiling, but projects as a complementary middle/bottom-sixer.
| Season | Team | League | GP | G | A | P |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023–24 | Edge School U18 Prep | CSSHL U18 | 25 | 14 | 15 | 29 |
| 2024–25 | Saskatoon Blades | WHL | 60 | 11 | 12 | 23 |
| 2025–26 | Saskatoon Blades | WHL | 57 | 18 | 16 | 34 |
Analyzing the pick
With a ton of picks in the middle rounds, the Leafs are smart to diversify the profiles of who they take. While Olsen isn’t a ceiling pick, his relatively high floor will help him turn pro.
Whether his motor can take him to the NHL is the question, but hard workers are usually rewarded.
What’s next for Olsen
Olsen is set to play at Colorado College in the NCAA next season. He’ll need to work on his offensive game there for at least a season before turning pro. His work ethic and forechecking will be appreciated wherever he goes, though.
