See more Toronto Sun on Google — save as a Preferred Source Gavin McKenna is being left behind this weekend. On the part of the Maple Leafs, it’s the right call.
The first-overall pick in the 2026 National Hockey League draft — and the Leafs’ next star — won’t be playing in the prospect tournament in Gatineau, Que., with the rest of Toronto’s young hopefuls. This after McKenna, 18, was on the roster released by the club on Thursday and practised with the group on Friday.
He also was part of the team dinner for the group on Thursday night. Toronto Marlies coach Steve Sullivan, who will be behind the bench as the Leafs play the Ottawa Senators on Saturday and Winnipeg Jets on Sunday, explained why management made the decision to keep McKenna in Toronto.
“What’s best for him is to stay here, continue to train with the NHL players and prepare for a big season,” Sullivan said. “It’s a short training camp for them.
They have an 84-game schedule. He has a lot coming in front of him.
He had a really busy summer.” We were a bit surprised, admittedly, when McKenna was included on the rookie roster. Our thinking was that the Yukon native had nothing to prove in playing with other prospects this weekend.
Furthermore, why would the Leafs run the risk of him getting injured in meaningless games? It didn’t make much sense.
What has Sullivan seen in McKenna? Sullivan was asked what has impressed him about McKenna and indirectly said why there was no good reason to include the kid on the trip.
“He’s a step ahead of everybody else,” Sullivan said. “We’re trying to implement a little bit of structure, but he is still able to execute even when things are out of structure, when things aren’t perfect.
He still finds a way to make the plays.” Considering McKenna’s skill sets and smarts, no surprise there. For McKenna, what is crucial now — and has been for the past few weeks — is growing accustomed to being a full-time Maple Leaf.
Not only is McKenna living with John Tavares, McKenna and captain Auston Matthews have been getting to know each other on and off the ice. McKenna recently was a guest at Auston Matthews’ place for dinner and they’ve been playing together during the recent informal skates.
“To be at his house, for him to invite me over and sit down and talk with him and hang out, it was pretty special,” McKenna said. “That’s the type of leader he is.
He knows I’m a young guy and he’s trying to welcome me in. I appreciate it.” On the ice, whether they start camp next week together or not, there’s going to be a union of the two at some point.
McKenna’s vision and Matthews’ shot, among other attributes, demand that it happens. If it was our decision, Matthews and McKenna would be on the same line from Day 1.
We’ll find out next week whether new coach Jim Hiller and his staff think differently. “He’s unreal,” McKenna said of Matthews.
“He’s fun to watch and to play with him, he’s super smart and he has that release. You want to give him the puck when he’s open and hope you get an assist.
“To play with a player like that, of that calibre, would be pretty special. I think we would suit each other pretty well.
If I get that opportunity, I’m not going to try and waste it.” Importantly for McKenna, getting on the ice with Leafs veterans on the whole has provided insight into what it’s going to be like when the regular season starts on Sept. 29 at Scotiabank Arena against the Montreal Canadiens.
How has McKenna found the on-ice adjustment? Not that we would have expected anything else, but it didn’t sound like McKenna has been finding it a challenge to keep pace.
During his off-season work in Vancouver, he said he worked on “the pop in his play” so the adjustment would be more smooth. “How smart everyone is, every single guy out there is going to find you in those spots,” McKenna said.
“(It’s about) always being ready, and I think I fit in well. “My type of game is smart hockey, so learning how to read off these guys and play with them, it’s been fun.” As for moving in with Tavares — McKenna also spent time at Tavares’ cottage in Muskoka — already the teenager has been picking up on the veteran’s daily regimen.
McKenna noted that Tavares played in all 82 games last season, the lone Leafs player to do so. “How he takes care of his body, with his food, in his house, he has all the recovery stuff,” McKenna said.
“The work he puts in off the ice. Being a young guy to learn that pretty quick, that’d be awesome.” Like anyone with a connection to the Leafs — whether it’s being part of the organization or a card-carrying member of Leafs Nation — there’s growing anticipation for the season opener for many reasons.
HAVE YOUR SAY: What do you think of Maple Leafs off-season changes ahead of training camp? Gavin McKenna headlines Maple Leafs roster for prospect tournament Chief among them is how McKenna will fare in his NHL debut after years of hype.
For McKenna, that it’s just a few weeks away, it feels more real. “For sure,” McKenna said.
“You want to get there. That’s been something I’ve been waiting for all summer, looking forward to playing Montreal at Scotiabank.
“It’s something you dream of as a kid to play that first game. (The summer) has flown by for me, with how busy I was.
For it to be finally coming close and getting into the groove, I can’t wait.” tkoshan@postmedia.com X: @koshtorontosun
