The Maple Leafs hit the jackpot in the 2026 NHL Draft when they landed first overall and used it on Gavin McKenna, a dynamic winger with the kind of playmaking skill that gets people dreaming big fast. The long-term vision is obvious: McKenna growing into a star, and maybe the ideal running mate for Auston Matthews.
That ceiling is real. McKenna’s hockey sense and hands have been enough to overwhelm junior and college opponents for years, and the 18-year-old already carries himself like someone who understands the moment without getting swallowed by it.
He’s confident, but not full of himself. That matters.
Still, the NHL is a different animal, and the Leafs should be careful not to put the entire season on his shoulders right away. The hope is for McKenna to help the playoff push and get up to speed quickly, but fans should not be penciling him in for record-breaking numbers or even a point-per-game pace, especially if he doesn’t open the year next to Matthews.
A more likely starting point is the second line, where McKenna could skate with John Tavares and possibly William Nylander. That setup would give him two proven finishers to feed, plus a veteran presence in Tavares and a polished pro in Nylander. It also fits the idea that Toronto doesn’t want to rush him, even if the upside is tempting.
There’s a clear blueprint here. If McKenna starts on the second line and handles the workload well, the Leafs could move him up to Matthews’ wing later in the season.
If that happens, expectations would naturally rise, because it would signal the team believes he’s ready for the job. And if he does end up beside the captain, the fit on paper is exactly what Toronto is hoping for: McKenna’s pass-first game paired with Matthews’ scoring touch.
The comparison that stands out is Macklin Celebrini, who McKenna has been training with this offseason. Celebrini had a strong rookie year before his production took off in year two, and that kind of arc would make sense for McKenna too. The Leafs would gladly take steady growth now if it means a superstar down the line.
As for the numbers, 60 points would be the high end of the conversation. That would put McKenna in the neighborhood of Matthew Schaefer’s 59, Ivan Demidov’s 62 and Beckett Sennecke’s 60 from the 2025-26 season, when those three finished 1-2-3 in Calder Trophy voting. A line like 25 goals, 35 assists and 60 points would be a huge rookie season if everything clicked right away.
But a more grounded target sits closer to 45 points, with 15 goals and 35 assists. That would still be a very strong year for an 18-year-old winger. Demidov and Sennecke were both 20 by the end of their rookie seasons, so McKenna won’t have the same developmental cushion.
The Leafs would rather see McKenna grow into the role than burn bright too early. If he settles in, builds upward and eventually becomes the player they think he can be, the early patience will be worth it.
In Other News...
Penn State Camp Buzz Is Building Around Two Key Position Battles
Penn States 2026 camp is already giving coaches a better look at how the roster is settling in, with 11-on-11 work bringing a few early standouts to the forefront. Among the names drawing attention are Iowa State transfer receiver Eskildsen, defensive lineman Ikenna Ezeogu, quarterback Alex Manske and versatile player Rappleyea, all of whom have flashed enough in the opening days to suggest they could matter when the Nittany Lions line up for the season opener against Marshall.
Eskildsens arrival has added another layer to a receiver group that is still sorting itself out, while Ezeogu has looked like a player who can help shape the defensive front. Manskes presence also adds intrigue in the quarterback room after he missed spring practice, and Rappleyea continues to stand out because of the flexibility he brings. With camp just getting started, Penn State is learning quickly where the competition is real and which spots still need to be settled. [Read more 🡒]
Penn States O-Line Battle Just Got More Interesting Before The Opener
Penn States interior offensive line picture got a little clearer and a little more crowded heading into the season opener. Brock Riker, the Texas State center addition, is expected to anchor the middle, while the Nittany Lions also have veteran Dom Rulli, Cooper Cousins and Iowa State transfer Trevor Buhr in the mix as they sort out the rest of the spots up front.
Buhr appears likely to settle in at left guard, and he has already made a point of praising offensive line coaches Ryan Clanton and Jackson Scott-Brown for the detail and preparation they bring to the room. Even with one spot seemingly taking shape, Penn State still has more options than certainties inside, which is exactly the kind of depth chart tension that tends to linger right up until kickoff. [Read more 🡒]
Penn State Still Has One Big Hurdle To Land David Taylor Dual
For Penn State wrestling fans, the idea of a dual with Oklahoma State has lingered as one of the sports more appealing what-ifs, and David Taylor is still keeping that door open. In a recent media availability, the Cowboys head coach said he sets aside a date each year in case Penn State agrees to the matchup, while making it clear he would be willing to host or travel for it.
Taylor had sounded much the same note in a 2024 interview, pointing to the obvious scheduling hurdles while expressing interest in a home-and-away series. The concept still has plenty of buzz because of what it would mean for the sport, but for now the main obstacle remains getting the two programs to line up on the same day. [Read more 🡒]