Why Toronto is the perfect landing spot for Gavin McKenna

The Maple Leafs shocked the world at the NHL Draft Lottery, hitting the number one pick with just an 8.5% chance going in. It gives John Chayka and Mats Sundin boatloads of options and a month or so to ponder creative moves that can help spark a retool in Toronto, but at the end of the day, there’s only one direction they should be heading at the draft in Buffalo. Drafting McKenna with the top pick, and starting a brand new era for Maple Leafs’ hockey.

Toronto is the perfect place for McKenna to start his career. He’s a player that thrives on being in the spotlight, underneath the bright lights, and having a ton of media attention has been the norm for him since he was 14. A crowd of people waiting with mics by his stall is old news to this 18-year-old. McKenna was the most scrutinized prospect this year, and it wasn’t even close. He felt the heat for leaving Medicine Hat for Penn State, and after a somewhat slow start to his college season, everyone starting doubting him that McKenna wasn’t a true number one prospect.

Instead of crumbling under all the media pressure and falling down draft boards, McKenna showed up to the World Juniors last December and reminded everyone who the best prospect in hockey is with 14 points in 7 games, some unbelievable highlights, and some serious momentum heading back to Penn State. All McKenna did after was dominate the NCAA, and finished the season with 51 points in 35 games, most of those coming in the second half.

Now to the Maple Leafs. As McKenna’s World Junior teammate Easton Cowan puts it, you need some swagger to play in Toronto, and McKenna doesn’t lack one bit in that department. He’s confident in himself, he’s self aware to understand big moments, and he’s going to be surrounded with a support system that will show him exactly how to handle himself as a true professional. It also doesn’t hurt one bit that he knows Cowan well, and he’s a familiar face he can lean on to learn from and navigate the rookie life in Toronto with.

That brings us to the vets. John Tavares is such a great resource for an 18-year-old first-overall pick heading to a big market, as he knows all about what it’s like to be the next one. And of course, the same can be said about Auston Matthews. Tavares just takes things to an extra gear when it comes to his prep off the ice, and his backpack full of all his nutrition and recovery resources that he brings into every game. Tavares is as much of a pro’s pro as you can find in the NHL, and a great example for McKenna to follow.

Matthews, on the other hand, brings that red carpet like swagger to the rink every day, and isn’t afraid to question the media when things are getting out of hand with stupid questions. The Leafs captain has seen it all in just over 10 years in Toronto, so as far as resources go, McKenna couldn’t be set up for more success.

As for on the ice, the Maple Leafs are in dire need of a playmaker after Mitch Marner checked out early for Vegas, and McKenna certainly fits the bill. There’s a giant hole on Matthews’ line, but at this point, we have to wait and see if Chayka can cook this offseason. In an ideal world, McKenna jumps right into a top-six role and plays with skilled players, who think the game on the same level. Imagine if Craig Berube buries McKenna on the third line and starts demanding he become more physical like he’s done with Nick Robertson? Berube would be shown the door, and who knows, there’s a chance he doesn’t start the season as the head coach anyways.

McKenna should be immediately inserted into the top six and if it’s not on Matthews’ wing, then it’s a giant miss. Matthews hasn’t been able to find the back of the net like we’ve seen in the past and that has everything to do with a lack of a facilitator. Marner found Matthews in his favourite spots, he found him in timely fashion, and on a regular basis. Marner was always looking for the pass and to find his sniper, and McKenna brings much of the same to his game. He thinks the game two steps ahead of everyone else and get ready for some passes that will bring you to your feet. When it comes to playmaking abilities, there hasn’t been a prospect that can distribute the puck like this for quite some time.

The Maple Leafs and McKenna seem like the perfect fit. It’s not often a first-overall selection has a chance to play meaningful top-six minutes on a potential Stanley Cup Playoff team, with one of the most prolific scorers in NHL history, and a team that’s only missed the playoffs twice in a decade. McKenna’s aligned to have a great support system on and off the ice, there’s a gaping hole in the Leafs’ lineup he can fill, and there’s real potential that everything will fall into place for him in blue and white.

Calder trophy incoming? I wouldn’t bet against McKenna.

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