Gavin McKenna is the missing piece the Toronto Maple Leafs have needed to finally find success.
The NHL Draft begins on June 26, and McKenna is a near-guarantee to be the first overall selection. The Maple Leafs entered the Draft Lottery with the fifth-best odds at 8.5% but ultimately came away with the coveted top pick. The last time Toronto made a No. 1 selection, it worked out pretty well with Auston Matthews.
Now, Matthews will get a running mate. The Penn State product excelled in his only NCAA season, becoming the Nittany Lions’ first Big Ten scoring champion in history. McKenna racked up 38 points in 24 conference games, including 11 goals. His freshman campaign ended with him being named the Big Ten Freshman of the Year.
McKenna displayed his potential in a conference matchup against Ohio State on Feb 20. He recorded eight points and seven assists in the victory, the most assists in one game since 1983. In 35 games, he dished out 36 assists, ranking second in the nation.
The left-handed winger is one of the best playmakers to ever come out of the draft. His best attribute is his hockey IQ. McKenna can see the ice exceptionally well and uses it to his advantage by finding teammates in scoring positions consistently.
The decision to play in the USA this past season was an unusual one. Most Canadian prospects tend to stay in their home country and pad their stats in leagues like the WHL. McKenna, a Whitehorse native, had done that for three years. His final season for the Medicine Hat Tigers saw him put up 129 points, including 88 assists, in just 56 games.
Bold Decision To Play At Penn State
Deciding to play at Penn State proved to scouts that McKenna was able to play in a competitive and physical style of game. NCAA hockey has continued to improve in the past decade, and he still dominated. The first few games were a moment of transition, but once he found his footing, the instincts took over.
The 18-year-old is also a very safe pick. He’s composed and hardworking, is an all-around offensive threat, and has shown he can take over a game completely. Numerous top prospects in this draft class will be considered safe and talented, but there is nobody with a higher ceiling or floor than McKenna.
How Gavin McKenna Fits With The Maple Leafs
Matthews is the face of the franchise. As long as he stays in Toronto, he will pair beautifully with McKenna. Matthews has led the league three times during his 10-year career, including two 60-goal seasons. There’s nobody better at lighting the lamp than the Maple Leafs captain.
Enter McKenna, who is a skilled playmaker. He doesn’t need to score to make an impact on the game. Putting the unselfish rookie with Matthews will create one of the best duos in the NHL.
Matthews’ old wingmate was Mitch Marner. He has since found a new home in Las Vegas, playing a huge role in the Golden Knights’ Stanley Cup appearance this past season. Without Marner, Toronto struggled offensively despite Matthews’ ability.
The Maple Leafs also added Darren Raddysh in a trade with the Tampa Bay Lightning. The defenseman enjoyed a career season, putting up 70 points, including 22 goals. He is great playing the point on the power play and will shine on a man-up unit that includes Matthews and McKenna.
Other forwards McKenna will get a chance to play with include John Tavares, William Nylander, and Matthew Knies. Nylander is the most likely to skate with Matthews (and potentially McKenna) on the top line. Tavares and Knies have manned the second line recently, mixing a tenured veteran with a young phenom. All three veterans can score and help out goal-scorers, allowing McKenna to find his footing and succeed offensively.
