Maple Leafs' Gavin McKenna: Three-game streak sets team mark
Rotowire
McKenna picked up a power-play assist Saturday in a 6-3 win over Colorado.
The pass drew high praise from the recipient, who buried it behind Mackenzie Blackwood. "Unbelievable pass on that first goal," William Nylander said post-game. "He did a great job, and he's so talented, and he can make those plays all over the ice." McKenna became the first Maple Leafs player age 18 or younger to record a point in three straight games (one goal, three assists) since Russ Courtnall had 10 points (three goals, seven assists) in seven games from March 3-14, 1984.
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Maple Leafs' Gavin McKenna: First NHL goal and assist
Rotowire
McKenna scored his first NHL goal and got his first assist in a 5-4 overtime win over the Predators on Tuesday.
McKenna became the youngest Maple Leafs player at the time of his first point (18 years, 290 days) since Drake Berehowsky (18 years, 280 days) on Oct. 10, 1990. McKenna's goal was a beauty -- he snapped an absolute rocket in the top corner past Juuse Saros at 14:31 of the second period. And he was named the game's first star in front of a capacity crowd (18,792). McKenna has a bright future in front of him.
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Maple Leafs' Gavin McKenna: Quiet pro debut
Rotowire
McKenna had one shot on net in a 3-2 loss to Montreal on Tuesday.
Head coach Jim Hiller moved the top pick from the 2026 NHL Entry Draft up and down between lines two and three in his NHL debut. McKenna was minus-2 with one shot on goal in 15:19. He didn't really stand out, but that's not bad. He didn't make mistakes even if his offense didn't show. McKenna will get every opportunity to play a lead role on the second power-play unit and skate on the second line.
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Maple Leafs' Gavin McKenna: Focused on training camp
Rotowire
McKenna will not participate in the Leafs' rookie showcase, instead preparing for the start of training camp, David Alter of The Hockey News reports.
McKenna will skip playing in games alongside his fellow rookies and prospects while he looks ahead to the team's full training camp. The 18-year-old winger is a lock to make the Opening Night roster and could find himself suiting up on the top line with Auston Matthews. If McKenna does play a full 84-game schedule, he should be capable of challenging for the 20-goal and 40-assist thresholds.
