‘100 miles an hour’: Gavin McKenna jumps into Toronto’s prime six

TORONTO — To the coach’s eye, Gavin McKenna gave the impression to be contained. 

Toronto Maple Leafs shutdown man Chris Tanev, he of 878 video games within the present, had seemingly boxed the 18-year-old winger into the nook throughout a decent battle drill.

“I saw him dance away and just do a nice little backhand sauce pass into space. That jumps out at you,” head coach Jim Hiller mentioned Thursday, after working his first follow at Ford Performance Centre. 

“So, those are the things that you’re just standing there and you see them and you go, ‘OK, well, that’s a high level.’ That’s what he’s going to have to do against veteran NHL defencemen when the real games start.”

And that’s why 2026’s first-overall decide is focused to make his professional debut as a fixture of Toronto’s prime six, to the left of final season’s main objective scorer, John Tavares, and main point-getter, William Nylander.

It’s not solely the neckguard (now obligatory for NHL freshmen) that made McKenna stand proud of the pack throughout his first official Leafs follow. It was additionally his imaginative and prescient, heavy stick, offensive instincts, easy palms and pass-happy tendencies.

“I’m not looking for Gavin,” Hiller mentioned, “but I see Gavin — if that makes any sense.”

No unit is etched in stone, however for now Hiller sees McKenna making performs along with his new billet dad and the über-skilled Swede on a daunting second line (doubtlessly each methods), whereas Auston Matthews reunites with energy ahead Matthew Knies and his outdated U.S. National Development Team pal Jack Roslovic on Line 1.

“It’s super awesome that they’ve got confidence in me to play with those type of players,” McKenna enthused after an up-tempo skate effervescent with two-on-none, two-on-one, and one-on-zero rushes. “So, it was enjoyable being on the market with them. I feel they’re each super-smart gamers.

“Being in this environment with guys who are going 100 miles an hour every single shift, I think it kind of just rubs off on you.”

Tavares — who was first to the draft dais when his new tenant was nonetheless in diapers — finds McKenna’s youthful vitality equally contagious.

“I honestly feel the same way today as probably he does. Just the butterflies, the excitement,” Tavares mentioned. “So much fun to be back at it for real.”

McKenna’s debut reminds Nylander to get pleasure from each second; careers can fly by at 100 miles an hour, too.

“It feels like just yesterday I was playing my first game. So, it goes pretty fast,” mentioned Nylander, who was filmed celebrating Toronto’s unlikely lottery win alongside Knies at a Marlies playoff sport in May. “It’s a gamechanger. I imply, we have been fired up. 

“We won that thing, and the team has been rebuilt in a different way and a little different thought behind it. So, I mean, I’m super excited.”

Hiller selected to begin McKenna with Tavares due to the previous captain’s consideration to element and keenness for sharing tips of the commerce with newcomers. Tavares ceaselessly broke down technique with sophomore Easton Cowan final season.

On rides to and from the rink, McKenna can decide the mind of Tavares, one essentially the most constant stars of his era. When {the teenager} isn’t out within the yard taking part in baseball with Tavares’s children, store speak is greater than welcome.

Who cares if the Zamboni has lengthy cleared the ice?

“The best thing is just living it, right? And getting the experience,” Tavares mentioned. “When there’s time to speak by issues and see what they’re considering, how we are able to play off each other, and possibly it’s sure issues I can do higher to assist assist your teammates, your wingers, all these kinds of issues. Those communications are ongoing.

“Other times, it’s best things are left unsaid, especially with a young player with a lot of potential. You don’t want them thinking a whole lot as well, right? So, it’s always a balancing act. There’s no perfect way to plan for it. I think, just let things happen naturally.”

Naturally, the wiry McKenna’s potential to create by thick visitors, to regulate the puck along with his instincts and surprisingly heavy stick has quick made an impression on his teammates.

But Hiller will lean on Tavares and Nylander to select the rookie up within the defensive zone, the place McKenna’s rising pains will probably be most evident. Still, dropping an elite playmaker right into a prime six who was craving simply that’s engaging.

“Won’t be long before he’s one of the best at doing it. So, whether it’s Willy or anyone, he’s going to help a lot of us and make a lot of plays,” mentioned Tavares, radiating with proud-dad vibes.

“He’s been so good his whole life. He’s had the spotlight on him for a long time, and it’ll only be magnified now. And you get to live your dream. So, cherish that. Soak it in. Never take that for granted. And just be yourself.”

Maple Leafs opening traces at camp

Knies – Matthews – Roslovic
McKenna – Tavares – Nylander 
Cowan – Paul – Sissons
Lorentz – Blueger – Duhaime 
Joshua

McCabe – Tanev
Ekman-Larsson – Raddysh 
Andrae – Danford 
Blankenburg – Stecher

• Seeing Daniel Alfredsson all decked out in Maple Leafs blue and white and Mats Sundin leaning over the rail watching a roster he helped design is sort of the sight.

“It’s pretty crazy, actually. To be honest, I mean, we’re seeing two Swedish legends every day,” says Nylander.

“I was shocked as well. I mean, we have a mutual friend in common. He never said anything about it, so pretty shocked. But I’m obviously very happy that it happened.”

• Bet on right-shot defenceman Nick Blankenburg, the camp’s lone PTO, to signal a short-term contract earlier than puck drop.

That Ben Danford is skating with the NHL group over veteran depth choices Philippe Myers and Dakota Mermis speaks volumes in regards to the prospect’s worth internally. He’s poised to be first Marlie up, ought to damage strike.

• Toronto’s first season-long emergency backup goaltender is Brendan Bonello, the one participant to take part in each on-ice periods. All EBUGs are required to put on No. 00.

The 27-year-old Mississauga, Ont., native appeared in three professional video games with the ECHL’s Cincinnati Cyclones and has served as a follow goalie for the Leafs and Marlies in previous seasons.

• A truncated coaching camp compelled the Leafs to type one devoted NHL group and one other destined for the minors. 

“Makes it harder for guys that want to battle for spots and to make the team,” Nylander mentioned. “But, I mean, it’s good for shorter camp.”

Good information for ticket holders: Expect the A-listers, together with McKenna, to play at Scotiabank Arena Saturday (vs. Montreal) and Wednesday (vs. Ottawa) in pre-season motion whereas the B workforce hops a constitution to play the highway half of the split-squad matches.

• Third-liners Nick Paul and Easton Cowan regarded wonderful Thursday. Methinks it gained’t be all too lengthy earlier than they get a peek greater up within the lineup.