Gavin McKenna—projected by many to be available at Toronto’s first pick—said the Maple Leafs feel “pretty special” as a destination after the team’s lottery win for the first overall selection. Toronto’s rebuild reality remains: the roster already includes Aus
Gavin McKenna stood at the NHL Scouting Combine on Friday and let it sound personal—if his name ends up in Toronto.
“Going to a Canadian market would be pretty special. The situation the Leafs are in right now, it’s pretty crazy that they got the first overall pick. Their team is probably going to be fighting for the playoffs next year. I’d be pretty fortunate to go there,” he said.
The Leafs’ season crash was the reason the pick landed at the very top. Toronto made the playoffs for nine straight seasons before the fall-off left it with the fifth-worst record in the NHL this season. That placement translated into an 8.5 per cent chance at landing the top pick—and in May’s lottery. the Maple Leafs took it.
For McKenna, the appeal isn’t only about the spotlight. Earlier Friday. Maple Leafs general manager John Chayka praised him as both a player and a person. pointing to “brain and the talent” alongside “instincts and his raw ability.” Chayka also emphasized family and community ties. saying the “quality of the family. ” “how much family means to him. ” and his roots—“how important it is for him to give back to his community that’s given him so much”—stand out.
That optimism comes with an obvious constraint. Even if Toronto has the first overall pick, it isn’t a guarantee the Maple Leafs will use it to add McKenna to a roster that already features star forwards Auston Matthews, William Nylander, John Tavares and Matthew Knies.
There are other scenarios already taking shape. Some are projecting Swedish winger Ivar Stenberg at No. 1, and the Leafs could also make a surprise selection—or trade the pick altogether—before the draft unfolds.
The draft is set to begin June 26, with Toronto’s first overall decision still hanging over the entire process.
Gavin McKenna Maple Leafs John Chayka NHL Scouting Combine first overall pick May lottery Auston Matthews William Nylander John Tavares Matthew Knies Ivar Stenberg NHL Draft June 26
So he’s basically saying Toronto is good luck… like the Leafs didn’t already get gifted a pick lol.
I don’t get it, they said the Leafs “fall-off” made them 5th worst but then they still got 1st? That lottery math never makes sense to me. Also if they have Matthews and Tavares… why would they even need another guy.
McKenna sounds confident but Toronto is like always “special” until they trade the pick anyway. I saw something about Ivar Stenberg too, so maybe the whole thing is just talk and they’ll pick whoever’s hottest on TikTok. Also the article says Auston Matthews (Auston) which makes me think they got it wrong somewhere else.
The part about family/community is nice, but I’m still mad the Leafs “crashed” and then win the lottery like that’s not the system. John Chayka praising him as a person… okay sure, but what we need is defense like yesterday. If they trade the pick then this whole McKenna thing was just filler.