How Auston Matthews, John Tavares can insulate Gavin McKenna from pressure of No. 1 pick

Gavin McKenna is the presumptive first overall pick, and will almost certainly join the Toronto Maple Leafs with the attendant fanfare, pressure and hype that comes with the territory. McKenna has been in the public spotlight for the better part of four years, emerging as the first player scouted in his class. He is now expected to join a Maple Leafs team in a complete state of transition, looking to chart a new direction after undergoing a 30-point decline. The fan base is both angrier and more apathetic than ever, while the team’s historical rival in the Montreal Canadiens appear poised for sustained greatness. This could be a very difficult climate to navigate, but McKenna will have two mentors to insulate him from the pressure of starring in this hockey-crazed market.

Tavares understands this scenario inherently. Although Tavares was drafted first overall by the New York Islanders, he’s been with the Maple Leafs since 2018, took on the captaincy with pride, happily deferred to Matthews when it was deemed appropriate and marched forward as a consummate pro. Tavares knows the pressure of being a product of the hockey hype machine. He was a prodigy in Ontario’s youth circuit where he was the best player in the province, playing 18 months up, gained the first exceptional status designation in Canadian Hockey League history, before thriving at the major junior level. Tavares has been famous for longer than he hasn’t and though his quotes rarely elicit excitement, he’s been a true professional, a hallmark of consistency, and has been lauded for his preparation and dietary habits well into his 30s. You may as well attach McKenna’s stall next to Tavares’ next fall.

Matthews is the Maple Leafs’ captain and he’ll naturally mentor McKenna as part of his role. Although Matthews isn’t known to be a vocal leader, he’s the best goal-scorer of his generation and joined the Maple Leafs in a similar state of flux 10 years ago. Matthews is the face of the franchise and knows all too well about the pressure that comes with the market: his entire career may unfortunately be defined by the Maple Leafs’ playoff collapses during this decade of contention. The expectations for McKenna ought to be realistic, especially entering his rookie year, and Matthews can assist McKenna with how to navigate the territory that comes with being appointed as the saviour of the Maple Leafs. And while some may brace at this notion, Matthews certainly enjoys the spoils of being a professional athlete in a major North American city. We can only imagine that a swaggering McKenna would gravitate towards Matthews, on and off the ice.